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Expat Healthcare & Health Insurance in Galway, Ireland

An retired expat in Ireland offers a candid comparison of the public healthcare system vs. the private healthcare system in Galway. He's 70 with a heart condition and recalls an emergency visit to the public hospital where he was left on a trolley for 30 hours after breaking his collar bone and ribs. He says that private health insurance is a must. And, he says that he sometimes returns to his home country of Germany for medical care.

Expat-Healthcare--Health-Insurance

Yes I qualify because I am a German pensioner and the German government dock my pension to pay the Irish government for my medical card. It covers most things but only with enormously long waiting lists. The public hospitals are dirty, OVERCROWDED and without sufficient doctors.

Expat Healthcare Advice for Galway

Private health insurance is absolutely essential. The private hospitals are OK provided it is not an emergency. There is no 24 hour A and E. If it were available I would insure also for a fly you back to Germany for accidents and emergencies. I was left on a trolley for 30 hours falling a fall with a broken collar bone and ribs. I am over 70 with a heart condition. Some third world countries have better medical services than Ireland.

Emergency Medical Care in Galway

The nearest hospital is the University College Hospital Galway. This is a dirty, old building with very few doctors many of whom barely speak English. The Galway Clinic (private) is OK but also overburdened. The Bon Secour (private) is also OK.

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Quality of Healthcare in Surrounding Area

I do return to my home country for medical care. The quality of doctors in Germany is far higher and they have time to speak to you. Hospitals are properly equipped and clean. No waiting. Even privately you have to wait long periods to see a specialist in Ireland. Finally medical services in Germany are much cheaper.

Prescription Medicines

Yes most but not all medicines are available. Even with a medical card you must pay. Prescriptions are needed for almost everything as pharmacists here do not appear to have the same capabilities as in France or Germany. My hayfever medicine is sent from Germany as unavailable here.

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Home finding, schooling, moving, settling-in and more for UK, London and Ireland. Cornerstone is a tech-driven, innovative relocation company. Making relocating to London, UK, Ireland and beyond a happy experience!
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Expat Health Insurance in Ireland

Medical insurance is extremely complicated and needs to be renegotiated every year. Tax relief is available. Many things are not covered. People with chronic on going conditions would have difficulties. Whether your insurance is accepted depends on the individual policy and there is usually an excess to pay. Medical care in Ireland is probably the most expensive in Europe. Specialists charge 150-250 euros for 10 minute appointments. Hospital beds start at 1000 per day in crowded dirty wards

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Home finding, schooling, moving, settling-in and more for UK, London and Ireland.
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Healthcare in IrelandHealthcare in Ireland

Expats in Ireland face very specific timelines and rules when it comes to getting healthcare in Ireland. It's important to understand how this will impact your journey and your individual health before you decide to move to Ireland.

Expats Talk Healthcare in Ireland171 Expats Talk about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Ireland

Expats living in Ireland talk about their own experiences with healthcare, hospital visits, emergencies, finding a doctor, buying health insurance in Ireland and more.

Healthcare-in-IrelandTop Hospitals in Ireland by Specialty

If you're moving to Ireland or recently arrived, it's important to know about the country's top hospitals for specific medical conditions. Here's a primer.

If you're moving to Ireland or recently arrived, it's important to know about the country's top hospitals for specific medical conditions. Here's a primer. ...

Healthcare-in-IrelandMental Health Care in Ireland

Living abroad as an expat comes with its own set of challenges and stressors. Being familiar with the mental healthcare support services available in Ireland is important.

Living abroad as an expat comes with its own set of challenges and stressors. Being familiar with the mental healthcare support services available in Ireland is important....

Healthcare in GalwayHealthcare in Galway, Ireland

An retired expat in Ireland offers a candid comparison of the public healthcare system vs. the private healthcare system in Galway. He's 70 with a heart condition and recalls an emergency visit to th

expat healthcare surveyAnswer Questions about Healthcare in Ireland

Help others moving to Ireland by answering a set of questions about health insurance, public healthcare in Ireland, prescription medicine, quality of medical care and emergency services.

Having-a-Baby-In-IrelandExpats Talk about What it's Like Having a Baby in Ireland

Read recent baby reports submitted for Limerick and Dublin.

If you're an expat parent who had a baby abroad, write a report about your childbirth experiences to help other expecting expat parents.

Additional Information:

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Help others in Ireland by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Ireland.

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