spanish healthcare system anyone?

[alexsmum]

has anyone any experience of the spanish healthcare system? Is it typical to be very thorough? and to take a long time to come to decisions about things?
anyone any experience????

unashamedly bumping this!

I've had a little bit of experience with my PIL, but haven't been out there whilst they have had treatment. My FIL had a triple bypass about 3 years ago and I know they were extremely pleased with the treatment he had. As a result, when my MIL was diagnosed with cancer of the Oesophagos recently, they decided that they would stay in Spain rather than come back to the UK for treatment as they have a lot of faith in the system.
It seems to me to have taken a fairly long time to get her actually having treatment from diagnoses and there was a not great experience with their local hospital who told her to go home, get her affairs in order and see the children. And their GP took much too long to refer her for tests. But she then got referred for a second opinion to Valencia which is a teaching hospital and a different kettle of fish by all accounts. They are now talking in terms of a cure. What the outcome will be I have no idea. She was saying that the doctors are fantastic, really polite, listen to you and she's in with them for about an hour at a time.
One of her consultants has just arranged for her to start her radiotherapy at a private clinic much nearer her than Valencia with transport to take her there, as he knew the stress would be too much for her DH. This is free for them due to the reciprocal arrangement with the UK. Hope that's a bit of help.

kittypickle thank you so much for your reply.
my dad is in hospital in majorca after collapsing in the street.They think it may be his heart and are doing endless tests.he's been in 7 days tomorrow and we're still no nearer to him being released.they do an ecg every single day.he's had an echocardiogram,he's worn a belt for 24 hours to measure his heart activity.and yet we're not getting any information back at all.
i wondered if it was usual to take time over things or whether it perhaps meant that something was really wrong?
it sounds like they are thorough from what you have said.

which hospital in mallorca is he in? (used to live there)

he's in son llatzer tiredmama.
i've just had a call from mum.cardiologist says they have found out what is wrong-a damaged valve, and ideally they would like to keep him another week to do more tests.however they know he' wants to get home so may release him tomorrow.on condition that he has medical attention at home.