It’s a good idea to find out where the nearest doctor’s surgery is when you arrive… just in case! There are English speaking dentists and doctors around the tourists resorts of Gran Canaria and they are all qualified to the European standard. If you are looking for a pharmacy, there are quite a few. Just look out for the green cross. There is a list here of all the pharmacies on the island and when they are open.
Photo By Elrudojulio
Insurance and E111 Cards
If you have medical insurance or an E111 card, you will need to pay for your consultation and then claim it back when you get home. If you are over 65 or disabled, you will get free medical care here if you bring an E121 form. You can find more information on insurance here: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/help-and-advice/advice-banks/article.html?in_advicepage_id=117&in_article_id=395353&in_page_id=90
I pay for any doctor’s visits when I go (which is rarely, since I am a fairly healthy specimen!) and the same with dental treatment. I had a root canal last week which wasn’t exactly enjoyable but it was professional and cheaper than in the UK.
Photo By Mataparda
Doctors’ Surgeries in Gran Canaria
Looking at just the South of the island, I can recommend the British Medical Clinic in Puerto Rico. Dr Paul is the only English doctor on the island. If you are staying in Playa del Inglés, you can try the Clinica San Roque in Meloneras (you will need to get a taxi but it’s only 5 euros or so).
Dentists in Gran Canaria
If you are looking for an English-speaking dentist in Puerto Rico, you can try the surgery I used which is called San Martín. It’s right opposite the main shopping centre. Alternatively my other half recommends Orinoco surgery but there always seems to be a waiting list! If you are in Playa del Inglés, you can try Clinica Salus Las Palmeras Dental Clinic which is in Maspalomas.
Photo By Nmoira
Chemists in Gran Canaria
You don’t need a prescription for certain pharmaceutical items, including Ventolin (for asthma), antibiotics (all types) and birth control pills. The chemists in the tourist areas speak very good English and can recommend medication if you tell them where it hurts.
Photo By Gerald Yuvallos
If you tend to swell up a lot when the mozzies bite, you might want to bring some anti-histamine pills with you or buy them here. You can get mosquito repellent here too. For some reason they never seem to bite me (not that I’m complaining about that!) Apparently if you eat Marmite they will leave you alone too (bring your own because it’s hard to find here!)
8 responses so far ↓
1 Eleanor // Aug 20, 2008 at 5:52 am
Hi,
Thanks for this website, it’s very interesting.
You mention three dentists, do you know if any of them do dental implants. It costs a lot here in Ireland.
Would you recommend any of the clinics in Gran Canaria for implants?
Good luck with the site. By the way, I would like to give you my email address, but not to leave it on the website for all and sundry. I sent an email to info@cunningcanary, but it was returned, do you have an email address I can write to,
Best wishes,
Eleanor
Sarah
2 paul // Aug 25, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Just to let everybody know. If you obtain the (new european medical card) from your post office in england. (Ex E111). Then wherever you are on Gran Canaria you can walk in any CENTRO SALUD (canarian state medical centre) any time day or night show your card, and NO CHARGE. The state medical centres are open 24/7 and are manned with fully qualified state doctor and nurse, And most speak english, (They are closed door at night, you just ring the bell and they will be there for you.)
ALL have A and E facilities.
Playa Mogan, behind the bus station.
Arguiniguin, up the side of the new spar shop on the main road on the left.
Meloneras, The new san roque private hospital is walk in for FREE to any (new european card holders)and any residents paying into the state system here. This hospital was built on state owned land, and agreements were made to treat state patients here including all tourists for free, As long as they have the necasery (new european medical card) All doctors and staff speak english.
3 Paul // Aug 25, 2008 at 5:36 pm
NEW LAW.
You can NOT now obtain antibiotics, (like you used to be able to) without prescription from any chemist here , the same applies to certain other medications.
If you have (the new european medical card) EX E111. and you are in need of medications. Visit your local CENTRO SALUD, 24/7 And the doctor there will issue you with a prescription to obtain antibiotics etc from the chemists. (DURING THE DAY) You will have the consultation for free on the state, But you will have to pay for the medications in the chemists, (a lot cheaper on prescription from the local state doctor)
If you take ill (DURING THE NIGHT) when most chemists are closed ) The local CENTRO SALUD doctor will give you the medications you need immediately straight away including extra antibiotics to take away with you to continue your treatment. As long as you can show him (the new european medical card) EX 111.
4 Victoria // Aug 26, 2008 at 2:35 am
Thanks for that info Paul - all very useful (and a relief to anyone who is unlucky enough to get ill here!)
5 Victoria // Sep 4, 2008 at 10:35 am
Hi Eleanor, sorry about the late response, I only just got your message for some reason!
Dental implants are about 1000 euros per tooth here as opposed to 1000 pounds sterling per tooth in the UK but the quality is the same.
I only know one person who has had implants here and he used the San Martín dental surgery in Puerto Rico.
Hope that helps!!
Victoria
6 Paul // Sep 5, 2008 at 5:29 pm
For inplants here ( i have had some) go to
http://www.clinicasioc.com.
The owner speaks perfect english. Telephone 928149 701 or 928 795 896
request to be spoken to in english.
And they will answer all your questions.
7 Victoria // Sep 5, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Thanks Paul - can you check that link? I can’t get it to work.
8 Paul // Sep 5, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Sorry Victoria it does not apear to work.
But i have typed it in as normal and it comes up straight away.
The site is only in Spanish though.
I am there on Tuesday next to have my new teeth put on the inplants, well the last 2 anyway. then im done and finished with.
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