France

[saschamiles]

We will be taking our month-old baby to our home in France this summer. Does anyone have any words of wisdom about French paediatric care- or just traveling on the continent with tiny babies!

Any help gratefully received

Sascha

My in laws live in France and we have travelled over three or four times a year since he was 11 weeks old. We have during the past 6 years encountered all sorts of issues (he was prem) - respiratory problems, shingles, nappy rash - you name it. I can honestly say that the care we have received from the local Dr is second to none. I always came away from the Dr with a diagnosis and ton of prescriptions or advice. Far more so than when encountering similar concerns/issues in the UK. The pharmacists in France are always hugely knowledgeable/helpful too.

My in laws group of friends include several new mums - both French and English - and they are all delighted with care their newborns have received.

We will be travelling with our new baby (due in 5 weeks) without giving it a second thought given past experience.

Enjoy!

Just make sure you ave the EHIC, you can request it by filing a form you find in most post offices, it takes about 10 days to receive it. Enjoy your hols in France

No personal experience but my friend lives in France and their health care system is renowned for being excellent (and quick) so I would imagine as long as you've got your card thingy (can't remember what it's called) it'll be fine.

Over the twenty years that I have been lucky enough to spend holidays in rural France I have found the health service there second to none, from my young daughter with appendicitis,my husband with a serious hand injury,son with concussion right down to tonsillitis,sinusitus and insect bites the service provided was excellent, go and enjoy a lovely relaxing holiday in a beautiful country, :)

I think you can get your EHIC very quickly online.

I live in France and can attest that the medical system is excellent. But it is not free at the point of use. You need the EHIC cards mentioned above - even then you may need to pay something. But hopefully you will not be needing medical care: what you might find helpful to know is that nappies are much more expensive here than in the Uk, and I think formula might be too, so if you are driving it might be worth stocking up on essentials in the UK before you come.

Just to say that the baby will need his/her own EHIC, your one will not cover them too!