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It is clearly stated that you need to use a translator. We are in Spain, not the uk and have to expect to use Spanish or a translator if your Spanish is not up to the job.
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:37pm
Pauline73 wrote on Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:22pm:
It is clearly stated that you need to use a translator. We are in Spain, not the uk and have to expect to use Spanish or a translator if your Spanish is not up to the job.
Appreciated, but it would still make sense in a largely English speaking area to have a receptionist who speaks some English, as the previous one did. I have noticed that we are in Spain, not the UK, as the NHS provides medical translators, where necessary, for free.
I am not speaking against the Spanish health system, but an English speaking receptionist would be helpful and also free up translators for actual doctors appointments, where needed.
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:57pm
Very helpful member
Essie56 wrote on Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:37pm:
Appreciated, but it would still make sense in a largely English speaking area to have a receptionist who speaks some English, as the previous one did. I have noticed that we are in Spain, not the UK, as the NHS provides medical translators, where necessary, for free.
I am not speaking against the Spanish health system, but an English speaking receptionist would be helpful and also free up translators for actual doctors appointments, where needed....
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Essie 56,
Firstly, welcome to Camposol. The receptionist, Angela, is new to her job, so in addition to being encountered with numerous patients who only speak in a language she doesn't understand, and get angry with her, she has to familiarise herself with a new job and new systems. Sadly, there are many people who have lived in Camposol for a decade or more and have chosen not to learn any of the language of the country they now live in. English isn't the only foreign language spoken on Camposol, there are many residents from France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, The Netherlands and Belgium to name a few. We very rarely, if ever, see complaints from these nationalities that people in Spain, do not speak their language. It only seems to be the English that expect special treatment. As has been said before, there are clear signs in the health centre, asking patients who cannot communicate in Spanish to bring an interpreter. And yes, I am old and I am doing my very best to learn much more of the language of the country I have chosen to live in. I have found the Spanish to be a warm and welcoming population, if you take the time to learn and communicate with them in their language. Good luck with your new life here.
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2021 6:00pm
Essie56 wrote on Wed Jun 23, 2021 4:45pm:
Hi Kassie,
I have had similar problems making myself understood by the receptionist, who was most unhelpful. We have just moved here from Torrevieja, where the doctors' receptionists all spoke good English. Although it would be ideal if we could all be fluent in Spanish, sadly especially f...
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...or older people, that is not going to happen and in an area with a large percentage of mainly English speakers, it would make sense to have receptionists who also speak some English. As you said, not everyone can afford an interpreter.
I have been quite surprised at how unpleasant some of your replies have been about the fact that you are not fluent in Spanish, yet have the temerity to visit the doctors, even though the UK is picking up the bill.
We chose to live in Spain and I think alot of English including myself expect people to speak our language. Puerto de mazarron in spain is fairly untouristic compared to alot of places . Where my health is concerned I am happy to pay €20 on average to get assistance through my medical centre although haven't had to do this as yet. We shouldn't expect every one to speak our language.
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2021 6:03pm
LeginSenoj wrote on Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:57pm:
Essie 56,
Firstly, welcome to Camposol. The receptionist, Angela, is new to her job, so in addition to being encountered with numerous patients who only speak in a language she doesn't understand, and get angry with her, she has to familiarise herself with a new job and new systems. Sadly, there are ...
Read more...
...many people who have lived in Camposol for a decade or more and have chosen not to learn any of the language of the country they now live in. English isn't the only foreign language spoken on Camposol, there are many residents from France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, The Netherlands and Belgium to name a few. We very rarely, if ever, see complaints from these nationalities that people in Spain, do not speak their language. It only seems to be the English that expect special treatment. As has been said before, there are clear signs in the health centre, asking patients who cannot communicate in Spanish to bring an interpreter. And yes, I am old and I am doing my very best to learn much more of the language of the country I have chosen to live in. I have found the Spanish to be a warm and welcoming population, if you take the time to learn and communicate with them in their language. Good luck with your new life here.
Very well said. Spanish is a difficult language but we shouldn't expect every one to speak English.
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Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2021 6:40pm
Very helpful member
Essie56 wrote on Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:37pm:
Appreciated, but it would still make sense in a largely English speaking area to have a receptionist who speaks some English, as the previous one did. I have noticed that we are in Spain, not the UK, as the NHS provides medical translators, where necessary, for free.
I am not speaking against the Spanish health system, but an English speaking receptionist would be helpful and also free up translators for actual doctors appointments, where needed....
Read more...
...
In the 2020 census of Los Alcázares, the total population was 16,590, of which 10,477 were Spanish. There were 6,113 foreigners registered as residents and out of these, only 2,028 were from Europe, with only a percentage of these from the UK. Just because many British "ex-pats" tend to hang out in the same small area of the town, doesn't mean the Los Alcázares as a whole is "largely English speaking"! Given that the number of Moroccans living in the town is the same number as all those from Europe, maybe the doctors' receptionists should also be fluent in their language?
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2021 6:57pm
Mags44 wrote on Wed Jun 23, 2021 6:40pm:
In the 2020 census of Los Alcázares, the total population was 16,590, of which 10,477 were Spanish. There were 6,113 foreigners registered as residents and out of these, only 2,028 were from Europe, with only a percentage of these from the UK. Just because many British "ex-pats" tend to hang out...
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... in the same small area of the town, doesn't mean the Los Alcázares as a whole is "largely English speaking"! Given that the number of Moroccans living in the town is the same number as all those from Europe, maybe the doctors' receptionists should also be fluent in their language?
Thank you for the information about the population of Los Alcazares - very informative, but I merely said that on Camposol, where there are many English speakers, it would provide a better service if the doctor's receptionist spoke some English. I don't think that has much to do with how many Moroccans live in Los Alcazares?
Thank you to those people who have welcomed me to the area.
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 9:37am
Super helpful member
Essie56 wrote on Wed Jun 23, 2021 4:45pm:
Hi Kassie,
I have had similar problems making myself understood by the receptionist, who was most unhelpful. We have just moved here from Torrevieja, where the doctors' receptionists all spoke good English. Although it would be ideal if we could all be fluent in Spanish, sadly especially f...
Read more...
...or older people, that is not going to happen and in an area with a large percentage of mainly English speakers, it would make sense to have receptionists who also speak some English. As you said, not everyone can afford an interpreter.
I have been quite surprised at how unpleasant some of your replies have been about the fact that you are not fluent in Spanish, yet have the temerity to visit the doctors, even though the UK is picking up the bill.
I ask, why should they have English speaking receptionists and staff?
You have chosen to live in Spain so do not expect every aspect of this to be on your side, Yous state that you have moved form Torrevieja where there are many English people, you were lucky that the services you required spoke English,
I wonder if you would also expect them to speak Russian, or all the other Eastern European languages that would be necessary to comply with your expectations, as there is a very large proportion of these nationalities liveing in Torrevieja and the surrounding area.
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 9:57am
eduardo3332 wrote on Thu Jun 24, 2021 9:37am:
I ask, why should they have English speaking receptionists and staff?
You have chosen to live in Spain so do not expect every aspect of this to be on your side, Yous state that you have moved form Torrevieja where there are many English people, you were lucky that the services you required spoke English, ...
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...
I wonder if you would also expect them to speak Russian, or all the other Eastern European languages that would be necessary to comply with your expectations, as there is a very large proportion of these nationalities liveing in Torrevieja and the surrounding area.
Well said. I didn't quite say this in my replies but yes why should we expect medical staff to speak English. Or anyone in fact. We chose to live in Spain
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