Healthcare for visitors to Italy

[Happilynauseous]

My husband and I are on holiday in Italy with our 9 month old and she seems to have picked up a respiratory infection which I believe likely needs an antibiotic. Foolishly I completely forgot to renew my European health insurance card, or apply for one for my daughter. My husband's card is however in date. Can we attend a medical centre or hospital without this for her? Does anyone know the approximate cost of treatment without the card, or if they will even treat her?

A pharmacy may be able to help you.

Please tell me that you have travel insurance?

Thanks a mil, I'll try them first. Just not sure if they will dispense an antibiotic without a prescription!

To be fair, this is important. Travel insurance will not pay out if you have not taken every step to mitigate payment and forgetting the travel card is not helping them.
I have always found Italian pharmacies very helpful indeed, and most have someone who can speak English which is important when dealing with things like this.
I don’t know if they can dispense antibiotics as only been in for minor things like painkillers or antiseptic cream.

If you're abroad and do not have your card with you
You can get a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) to prove your entitlement to medically necessary healthcare if you travel without your existing EHIC, UK GHIC or new UK EHIC and need treatment during your visit.
The PRC will give you the same cover as an existing EHIC, UK GHIC or new UK EHIC until you return home.
Apply for a PRC on the NHS Overseas Healthcare Services websitee_
Someone else can apply for a PRC on your behalf.

Personally I would take her to a medical centre, and and just pay for it. Yes, they will treat her, how much you have to pay, I've no idea. You may be able to claim in tumour travel I insurance, I'd phone them first for advice. They may well tell you which medical center to go to.

Italian pharmacies will give antibiotics if they see that the person really needs them, this was confirmed by a Pharmacist to me. You can look for a private paediatrician (Pediatra in Italian) there are hundreds around or take her hospital if you are really worried. Kids come first in Italy, they will not be ignored or left untreated.

Just take her to get some medical care.

Do EHIC cards still count for anything now we have left the EU, genuine question I thought I’d read they didn’t? Need to get mine renewed if so. Plus I think you can ring/email while abroad and get them renewed? You used to be able to

Here if you do need it. https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/get-healthcare-cover-travelling-abroad/get-temporary-cover-emergency-treatment-abroad-provisional-replacement-certificate

but hopefully the pharmacy can help.

@QuintanaRoo, the EHIC as was isn't a thing anymore but you now get a global health card (GHIC) which pretty much does the same job. It's free on the NHS website, just need your NI number (I think) to sort it out.

Thanks, am going to get some ordered.

I'm trying to remember exactly what the situation was regarding payment but years ago DD2 got really sick on a visit to Rome, we took her to the hospital (bambino gesu) the whole experience was eye opening, less than an hour in A&E then a bed in peads, IV antibiotics, home in 24 hours and I know we didn't have EHIC cards then but it either didn't cost anything or was very little, we are Irish though so not sure if that changes anything. I'd def take her for treatment though because you'll be billed after