Health in Tenerife - a guide to doctors, dentists and hospitals

Health in Tenerife should be a prime concern for all the foreign ex-pats and holidaymakers present on the island.

Most people on holiday take out travel insurance, which covers any health issues, but, if you actually live in the country, you either have to pay Social Security, which entitles you to free health and hospital care, or have permanent health insurance (in other words, go private). Otherwise, if you are admitted to a hospital, you end up paying through the nose.

For those people who are legally resident, have an NIE number and are employed, paying their social security monthly fees will entitle them to free medical treatment, so it is worth going through all the proper channels. Details of how to do this will eventually be found elsewhere on this site.

HOSPITALS

Having stayed in a couple of hospitals in Tenerife, I can vouch for the fact that they are excellent establishments. It is unlikely that all staff will be able to speak sufficient English to communicate with you properly, but some hospitals do provide interpreters.

In the case of a medical emergency, you can summon an ambulance by calling 061. Distinctive white vehicles, with broad blue and orange stripes, they are as good as in any other country...and their speed of reaction to a call can vary just as much, too.

DOCTORS

English Doctors

I know that there is at least one English doctor, operating in the Los Cristianos area - I've had to visit him on more than one occasion while living there. (Dr Johnson, as was, is no longer running this particular practice and I understand there is a lady doctor now.)

If you have social security, you can visit a doctor, for a discounted fee, but, without this, the receptionist will present you with the full bill at the end of your visit.

German Doctors

As there is a large German presence on the island, I imagine that there are quite a few doctors of this nationality. I hope to eventually present you with a full list.

Scandinavian Doctors

This is also the case for people from the Scandinavian countries. Quite a few Spanish or Canarian doctors will be multilingual, too.

Each of the headings on this page will eventually become a link to as full a list as I can manage of the doctors who will look after your health in Tenerife.

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