European health care experiences

We are both now British citizens and are thinking of relocating to continental Europe. I wonder if anyone has had experience (i.e. as a resident) with the health care systems in Spain, France, or Holland - Portugal and Germany are more remote possibilities, but also of interest - or if you want to comment on any European country you've had experience with, that would be helpful (e.g. Scandinavia). I'm wondering about quality, cost, efficiency, ease of use for someone new, etc.

Thanks.

Hi,

Whilst I can't comment on individual experience by myself or anyone I know, the only thing I can suggest is to look at reports about healthcare systems. Here's a few;

http://www.groundreport.com/Health_and_Science/Ranking-of-the-best-healthcare-services-in-Europe_3/2908689

http://www.ehi.co.uk/news/primary-care/4332

http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/jun2007/gb20070613_921562.htm

(this report from businessweek has some very interesting comparison analysis)

http://biomedme.com/biomed-articles/best-health-care-countries-in-europe_6869.html

In short, the pattern is that those countries which use more of a system based on insurance offer better quality of care than those who base their funding on taxes.

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Well, I can say I have had some of the best GP services in the Netherlands, though my experience is over 10 years old. It is (was?) an insurance based system. Some surgeries were open on weekends, so that hospitals don't clog up. Many health professionals, like most Dutch people, speak English.

Our GP had an excellent bedside manner and worked for many years in Liverpool - he's Dutch and he even advertised himself as catering to English speakers. If you choose the Hague, I can certainly recommend him. He is still there. 

Is there something specific you'd like to know? Otherwise, I'd go with Dennis' research based info.

There's also:

http://www.euro.who.int/en/who-we-are/partners/observatory   


And
http://www.euro.who.int/en/who-we-are/partners/observatory/health-system-reviews-hits

These are 'country-based reports that provide a detailed description of each health care system and of reform and policy initiatives in progress or under development. '

Thanks, Dennis and mapleleafgirl - both responses very helpful.