1081 English speaking doctors.

Anna, some will, some won't, when you register with USL, ask if doctor speaks English, they MAY know, failing that, and, depending where you live, visit or telephone and ask the question... failing that, type your basic history, and use Alta Vista's Babel Fish to translate it for you, the doctor MAY then be able to use the information, hope this helps.

Hi Anna,

I too have diabetes, only type 2 tho',and we were given the name of an English speaking doctor by the ASL in San Vito dei Normanni when we registered.

problem is, I spoke to him in my relatively poor Italian, and he didn't offer to speak English ( nice chap tho') and as I got by , (only needed a repeat prescription anyway), I forgot to ask him. I will next time, 'cos if Alex ( husband ) ever needed to go on his own, he will need him to speak English as Alex has only just started learning Italian.

I did read somewhere that all doctors in Italy have to do English, but don't know if that is true.

We can't officially sign on with him until we get our residency anyway, so we will check him out then.

The ASL provide doctors as long as you have your E111( ours has a diabetes chap..but he didn't seem to speak English) and when we had been here a few weeks I needed to see doctor and they saw me next day to sort me out with tablets etc. If I had been on insulin, I think he would have seen me straight a way. They seem very up on diabetes here, but very strict on your diet etc !!!!!...oh and weight..i've already been told off !!!!!

i originally got info from the British Consulate in Naples who deal with Puglia region( try a search for your region or contact italian embassy in London-they are helpful as well), they were excellent and gave me all info re: ASL, Questura, and even a list of doctors ( and our english speaking one was on their list marked as such).

Don't forget , if you have an old E111, you need to get a new one as the old ones are no longer valid. New system coming in I think Jan 2006 which is an EU medical card...should make life easier ...we hope !!!

There are quite a few other posts on doctors before we had our health section on forum, so it might be worth doing a search on here as well.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the replies. It's always an extra worry when you've got diabetes. I'm sure the good food will do me good and I am very fit (being a dance teacher). I have taken the advice on board. Only 13 days to go now! :)

I have been just done a search on past chats that have been had on this subject and I'm now a bit worried. People were talking about getting residency. I don't intend to get residency. I expect to only being working in Italy for a few years until I decide on the next country (I'm young , free and single with the travel bug!). Does this mean I can't be registered with a doctor? When people travel to England they are registered with a doctor as long as they have their E111. Oh god I've got visions of me collapsing on the street and only being able to say 'sono diabetica'.....

hi Anna,

I would suggest e-mailing the British Consulate for your area ( or Italian Embassy) and tell them exactly your situation...diabetes, need for doctor, how long here and not taking up residency...I am sure they will advise you.
Don't worry, I am sure you will be Ok with the ASL ( or is USL) ...Can't find me piece of paper with all info on!!

The Consulate even gave me all relevant addresses and phone numbers etc.

Do you wear a disc ??? It may be as well to get one engraved in Italian just in case you have a hypo in the street...would be useful even when you get Doctors sorted out-just a suggestion !!!!!! - also something in your purse or handbag perhaps.

Forgot to say, the ASL ( or USL !) issued us with a proper booklet which is valid until the end of December 2005 and when we go to the doctor they gave us ( see previous reply) , he simply stamps our copy and sends his bit off...no problem with seeing him or getting medicines...this is to tie us over until we get residency, so I am sure you will be OK.

Also, Doctors here only open 8am- 11am, also ASL ( or USL- must find my piece of paper !!!)

Hope this helps

Where will you be in Italy, if you post it here I'm sure someone will help finding web site for your British Consulate.

Thanks for the useful info. I found the consulate website last night and they have emailed me some really helpful information but they didn't say the doctors were only open in the morning, that's helpful to know. Apparently you don't need residency you just need an up to date E111.
Only 12 days to go!

Anna
I believe you can get your medical history put onto a cd by your local doctor.
I asked at the question at my local health centre and they seemed to think it could be done. At a cost I assume you could get it translated, having already tried the on-line translators on other stuff I don't think it could cope with medical terms.
Best of luck

Hi Anna,

the morning opening may only apply to our area, so perhaps someone could advise what they are in other areas.