Healthcare recommendations?

[steveandgill]

Gill and I are still hoping to make our move to Kalkan on an (almost) permanent basis, but would be returning to Blighty occasionally. Does anybody have any recommendations/experiences for providing for healthcare and possible emergency treatment.
Would insurance be cheaper organised in Turkey or the U.K?
            Cheers, Steve

Linkback: https://www.enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?topic=5711.0

[Will]

Hope you never have to find out for yourself Steve but I can certainly recommend Turkish medical care.
Had emergency hospitalisation followed by operation here.  Couldn't fault any aspect of healthcare.  From diagnosis, to seeing consultant, to operation, and back home again, 4 days.  Went initially to state hospital in Fethiye for diagnosis and interim care, (charged 180 lira for diagnostics, emergency treatment, overnight stay and consultation with specialist)  then sent to specialist unit at private hospital in Izmir. In Izmir, the treatment I was given was more advanced than that currently being offered by NHS in the UK.

 Interestingly there were several patients there undergoing complex surgery who had travelled from the US.  US medical insurers apparently rate Turkey very highly in terms of treatment  and treatment here is about a tenth of the cost of that in the US.  So even allowing for airfares, hotels etc, insurers find it much cheaper to send patients here.

Now have all follow up treatment and check-ups at Esnaf hospital in Fethiye.  Again, excellent in every regard. Many people here whether Turkish or foreign residents go to Esnaf and use their service much as we use GP in the UK.

Hospitals spotless, latest technology and diagnostics, caring and attentive staff at all levels from cleaners to surgeons.  Results of all tests given within an hour.

We have private medical insurance arranged with Yapi Kredi bank.  Considerably cheaper than cover  in the UK.  They pay all hospital costs and GP charges if the hospital or doctor is recognised and registered by them.

Wouldn't now even consider returning to UK if emergency or long-term medical treatment was necessary.

Good luck with your planned move

Will

[elcee]

Nothing to do with insurance, but bear in mind that you may lose your entitlement to NHS care here in the UK if you are no longer resident in UK.  Registration for primary care is based on your permanent address, so if you want to try and come back to the UK for treatment just be careful you dont say too much to your current practice!

[Alabalik]

Agree totally with Will.  I had to use the medical expertise of Kalkan 6 weeks ago.  I had been down at Kisla beach for an early morning swim and tripped on the steps coming up to the road.  Unfortunately I fell awkwardly and bashed my head and put my hand out to save myself to no avail!  The Kalkan Beach Club staff and owner were incredibly kind - my husband realised that all was not well so asked them to call an ambulance which they did.  Within 10 minutes an ambulance arrived with a paramedic on board who checked me over.  I was taken to Kalkan Meidcal Centre where Dr Cem was waiting.  He examined me and said I had concussion and probably a broken forearm.  He sent me onwards to Fethiye, Esnaf Hosital where a medical team and an English Nursing Assistant, who spoke perfect Turkish, were waiting for me.
 
I had an MRI scan within minutes and shortly afterwards an x-ray on my arm, which indeed was broken.  My head was fine except for concussion but they recommended  I stay overnight in the hospital under observation.  Every hour they checked pulse, temperature and blood pressure.  The service was amazingly good and the staff unbelievably friendly.  As we were returning to the UK a few days later they suggested that I have an x-ray in the uk to check all was healing.
 
I saw my Doctor who sent me to the local hospital for an x-ray.  First the wait and then when they saw the x-ray confirmed the break and said to wear a sling for 6 weeks then physio.
 
I came back to Turkey and rang Esnaf to thank them but they wanted to see me back for another x-ray.  I did this and, again, no wait, and very efficient and friendly.  My six weeks is up next week when I shall go back to Esnaf to check all is well.
 
I don't know the costs involved yet as we have medical insurance- will post whenn I do!
 
The Dentists here are also brilliant.  We have used them in the past and highly recommend them.
 
Thank you to Kalkan Medical Practice and the team. I hope I do not need you again but if I do I know I will be in good hands!
 
Ness

[amber]

I too have sampled healthcare ın Turkey and cannot speak hıghly enough of the treatment I have receıved ın Kalkan Fethıye and Denızlı
To requıre emergency braın surgery ıs as serıous as ıt gets and they not only saved my lıfe but the qualıty of ıt
I wıll always be grateful that I was ın Turkey on that fateful day 4 years ago
 

[Cosetta]

I have only used local medical services for routine visits such as eye exams, mammography, dermatology and dental cleaning.  The opthalmologist at Esnaf is excellent but the radiologist and his mammography machine are both not good, I wouldn't go there again for that purpose.

As for dental care, have tried the Kalkan dentists with varying results, best one I found is in Fethiye (more expensive than the Kalkan dentists but still not a lot).

[Lantana]

If you move here and take out residency, you will qualify for Turkish Medical Insurance.  This costs approx 205 lira for a married couple each month and  covers a wide range of medical treatment including GP consultations,  hospital stays, treatment at a vastly reduced rate at private hospitals, reduced prescription charges and dental care.

Medical care here is in my own experience vastly superior to anything in the UK.  24 hour maximum wait for an appointment with a consultant, same day results for all tests, spotlessly clean hospitals and compassionate treatment and caring personnel.

In many cases treatment available here is in advance of that offered by the NHS as it is not circumscribed by NICE guidelines.
 
I was treated as an emergency patient for a previously undiagnosed, serious heart condition. From my arrival at the state hospital in Fethiye in the middle of the night  to my operation at a specialist cardiac unit at an Izmir hospital, the process took just 24 hours.

 I now have monthly checks with a battery of tests (immediate results) and a lengthy session with the cardiologist at Esnaf hospital  Because of the insurance, it costs just 40 lira but even before we had our public insurance, the monthly consultation and tests cost just over 100 lira.
 
I am a big fan of  Cenk, the local dentist here in Kalkan and again, find the standard of care so much better than the UK.

If you are staying here for long periods you will have to take out residency so do take advantage of the state medical scheme.

Lantana