• For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
    (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)
This is a mobile optimized page that loads fast, if you want to load the real page, click this text.

Appointment needed to go to health Center ?

beccamitch

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Frances in April/May 2024
Hiya! Quick question, in order to go to a Centro de Salud (health Center) do I need to make an appointment? I’ve got a very very painful blister that has been on and off for about 4 weeks and I’m 90% certain it’s infected. I’m in the Meseta at the min and im thinking if I were to stop in at a health Center to get advice someone should be able to help me without an appointment and it shouldn’t be too busy? Maybe I’m wrong in thinking that but the amount of people walking has defo decreased since starting the meseta. Thanks in advance for any help!!
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I think you answered your own question. If you have an infection on your foot, I would definitely stop and have it checked by a health professional as soon as possible, a short wait time might be the least of your problems.
 
Altus Poncho (ATMOSPHERIC H30)
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
no appointment needed to be seen at the Centro in Los Arcos last week (that’s not in the meseta of course, just a point of reference). there was a fee for non-EU citizens.
 
I went to the centro de salud several times over the years (Fromista, Carrion, Piedrafita, and Triacastela), and never had an appointment. It was no problem.

Ask the hospitaleros, they can tell you where to go and what's the opening hours!

Get well soon!
 
Let us pick up your suitcase once you arrive in Europe....
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
In general I agree that you should just go and see what happens. Like any "free" medical care facility there tend to be queues of people waiting, many of whom will have an appointment.

Someone will triage you and the time that you spend waiting to be seen will depend both on the seriousness of your issues and the number of other people waiting.

In my experience, going to a medical centre in a smaller village resulted in no charge to me. I think that they were not used to the paperwork involved in charging me. In bigger towns where they were perhaps more used to non-EU patients I was charged.

As with many other things your experience will probably vary depending on a bunch of different circumstances.

In any case, please go see a doctor soon.

In the smaller villages go and talk to a pharmacist and they will direct you to appropriate medical care.
 
I went to the Fromista (on the Meseta) health clinic last fall. A sign on the door indicated they would serve pilgrims during specific hours 9:00-10:00 AM and 18:00-20:00. I waited until 6:00 PM (18:00) and was treated for my blisters, then as directed, I returned in the morning for follow up.

My suggestion is to call ahead and find out if hours of service are restricted. Maybe it varies from place to place.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_7228.JPG
    2.3 MB · Views: 9
You will get a quicker response if you pay for a doctor's review and check than if you expect it for free.
 
Get a Spanish mobil number + data while on the Camino
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
James Storrie said:
You will get a quicker response if you pay for a doctor's review and check than if you expect it for free.
Click to expand...
I don't think that's invariably true or even terribly relevant. The health centre is public health care and is what you will find in a small town . If you want a private hospital or clinic then only the larger towns will have one. It will probably be easier and quicker to visit the local health centre and pay (or not) depending on your health care coverage.
What is important is to get the medical problem sorted before it gets worse. Any cost will be small, and reimbursed if you are a resident in any of the EU countries or the UK with a GHIC. From other countries you can claim on your travel insurance. You will be treated quite quickly wherever you go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Camino Photo

Most read last week in this forum

Similar threads

Help: 6 weeks to go
Replies
22
Views
2K
Corned Beef
Masks might be required by law in Hospitals and health centers next week
Replies
14
Views
2K
rainswift
C
  • Tags training/fitness/health
    • What exercises to do to strengthen lower back?
    Replies
    39
    Views
    3K
    ginniek
    Menu
    Log in
    Register