Just had this reply to our request, sent by PM by Paul at Ole Solutions, I'm sure he won't mind us sharing this information as I know many of us are unsure what to do in an emergency or what to include as advice to any guests that may be staying in our apartments. Paul's answers are in red.
So:
I wonder if anybody can give us some basic information on what to do in an emergency.
Things like;
Is there a central emergency phone number, like 999? If you require urgent police attention, ambulance, fire brigade etc. 112 but if you don’t speak spanish ?
Who should you call to speak about non emergency medical problems? If it’s within office hours, go to the medical centre (Centro de Salud)
Is there a pharmacy open during the night in Arcos? If not, where might be the nearest? All farmacias should have a time table on the door or window indicating which farmacia has late night opening or 24 HR service and on what dates they are operating.
What is the system regarding prescriptions, does it operate in a similiar way to the UK? You will get a prescription from the doctor and then go to the farmacia to collect it.
What hospitals have A & E? Villamartin ( I think has A&E), Jerez & Cadiz.
Is there a local number for non emergency calls to the police? Policia Local 956 701 652
Is it recommended to register with a Doctor if you plan to spend less than a couple of months a year in the area? You cannot register with a doctor unless you live at least 3 months in Spain, you then have to sign on to the empadronamiento.
Plus any other stuff that as a non resident might be helpful, when things go wrong. All the things that you take for granted and know how to deal with in the UK, but may leave you floundering about when away from home. Strange to think we haven't a clue what to do in a given circumstance.
Take your passport, NIE and your EHIC which has replaced Form E111. If you have an E111 it is no longer valid.
I would also suggest that anyone who is coming to stay short term in Spain and who suffers from a particular illness, it is sensible to have a resume of your medical history translated into Spanish, in particular detailing any specific illnesses, drugs required or allergies. It is most sensible to have the basic bilingual details in writing always carried with you
Whilst Paul isn't a trained interpreter, we have found him invaluable in our dealings in the local area and I believe it is essental to have him or someone like him that you could count on if a situation arose, especially if your spanish or your guests spanish isn't quite up to the mark.
Our thanks go to Paul at Olesolutions.net for again, helping us out.
Ruth and Trevor