Healthcare on the Costa da Morte: Complete Guide to Health Services

The Healthcare System on the Costa da Morte

The Costa da Morte has a comprehensive, high-quality healthcare system combining Galicia's public health service (Sergas) with private healthcare options. Whether you are a permanent resident or spend seasons in the area, it is essential to know the healthcare resources available to you and your family.

Spain has one of the highest-rated healthcare systems in the world according to the OECD, and Galicia is no exception. The Costa da Morte's healthcare network is centred on the Hospital Virxe da Xunqueira in Cee, complemented by health centres in the main towns and a comprehensive emergency service.

Hospital Virxe da Xunqueira (Cee)

The Hospital Virxe da Xunqueira is the main hospital for the entire Costa da Morte region. Located in Cee, it is a district hospital belonging to the Galician Health Service (Sergas) and offers a wide range of medical services.

Main Services

• 24-hour A&E: General emergency and trauma services available around the clock, every day of the year.
• Internal medicine: Inpatient wards for internal medicine, cardiology and pulmonology.
• General and day surgery: Scheduled and emergency surgical procedures.
• Traumatology: Bone and joint injury treatment, popular with the active and sporting population.
• Obstetrics and gynaecology: Pregnancy monitoring, deliveries and gynaecological care. Low-risk births can be attended at the hospital.
• Paediatrics: Outpatient consultations and paediatric hospitalisation.
• Radiology and diagnostic imaging: X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI scanning.
• Laboratory: Clinical analysis with rapid results.
• Rehabilitation: Physiotherapy and functional recovery.

Practical Information

🏥 Important note: For highly complex cases (cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, advanced oncology), patients are referred to the University Hospital of A Coruña (CHUAC), approximately 80 km away.

The Public Health System: Sergas

The Galician Health Service (Sergas) is the body responsible for public healthcare in Galicia. It provides free at the point of use healthcare to all residents registered on the padrón in Galicia and holders of the European Health Insurance Card.

How to Register with Sergas

1. Padrón registration: Register at your local town hall. You need a passport or ID, rental contract or property deed.
2. Individual Health Card (TSI): Visit your health centre with your padrón certificate, NIE and identity document. The card is processed in 1-2 weeks.
3. GP assignment: You will be assigned a primary care doctor at your corresponding health centre.

Health Centres on the Costa da Morte

Each municipality has its own Health Centre (Centro de Salud) providing primary care:

• Cee Health Centre: Primary care, nursing, paediatrics, social work.
• Corcubión Health Centre: General medicine and nursing consultations.
• Fisterra Health Centre: Full primary care with emergency service.
• Muxía Health Centre: General consultations and emergency service.
• Camariñas Health Centre: Full primary care.
• Laxe Health Centre: General medicine consultations.
• Zas Health Centre: Basic primary care.

Primary Care Hours

Health centres generally operate Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 21:00. Outside these hours, at weekends and on public holidays, the Primary Care Emergency Service (SUAP) operates at the Cee hospital and larger health centres.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you are a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive medical treatment on the Costa da Morte under the same conditions as Spanish residents.

What the EHIC Covers

• Necessary medical treatment during your stay (not pre-planned).
• Treatment of chronic or pre-existing conditions requiring attention during your visit.
• Emergency and hospital care.
• Maternal and child healthcare.

What the EHIC Does NOT Cover

• Planned medical treatment (treatments you could schedule in your home country).
• Medical repatriation.
• Private healthcare.

Private Health Insurance

Many people choose to complement public healthcare with private medical insurance, offering advantages such as shorter waiting times, choice of specialist and private rooms.

Main Insurance Providers

English-Speaking Doctors

For the international community on the Costa da Morte, finding an English-speaking doctor may be a priority:

• Hospital Virxe da Xunqueira: Some doctors speak English, particularly in A&E and radiology.
• Private insurance: Sanitas, Adeslas and DKV have English-speaking doctors in A Coruña and Santiago, accessible within an hour.
• Private clinics in A Coruña: 80 km away, offering multilingual care.
• Telemedicine: Platforms like Doctoralia allow filtering by language for online consultations in English.

Pharmacy Network

The Costa da Morte has an extensive pharmacy network ensuring access to medicines in all towns:

Pharmacies by Town

• Cee: 4 pharmacies, including night and holiday on-call service.
• Corcubión: 2 pharmacies with extended summer hours.
• Fisterra: 3 pharmacies.
• Muxía: 2 pharmacies with on-call service.
• Camariñas: 3 pharmacies.
• Laxe: 1 pharmacy.
• Zas: 1 pharmacy.

Hours and On-Call Service

Pharmacies generally open 9:30-13:30 and 17:00-21:30 Monday to Friday, Saturday mornings. A rotating on-call system ensures one pharmacy is always open in each area, including nights, Sundays and holidays.

Emergency Numbers

The 112 is the European emergency number and operates in multiple languages.

Dental Care

Spanish public healthcare covers very little adult dentistry (only extractions at health centres). For other dental treatments, private clinics are needed:

• Dental clinics in Cee: Several private clinics. Cleaning: €40-60. Filling: €60-120.
• Clinics in A Coruña: More variety and some English-speaking dentists. Implants: €800-1,500.
• Dental insurance: Adeslas Dental, Sanitas Dental or Dentix from €15-25/month.

Mental Health

Public Healthcare

• Mental Health Unit (USM): At Hospital Virxe da Xunqueira. Requires GP referral. Waiting time: 2-6 weeks for first appointment.
• Health centre psychologist: Some primary care centres have an attached psychologist.

Private Healthcare

• Private psychologists: Several in Cee and Fisterra. Price: €50-80/session.
• Online therapy: BetterHelp, iTherapy offer therapy in English.
• Private psychiatry: Available in A Coruña and Santiago. Price: €100-180/session.

Elderly Care

• Care homes: Public and private in Cee, Fisterra and Camariñas. Prices: €1,200-2,500/month.
• Day centres: For elderly who need supervision during the day.
• Home help: Sergas service for recognised dependents.
• Telecare: 24-hour emergency device, free for recognised dependents.

Paediatric Care

• Paediatrician at health centres: Assigned for children 0-14 years. Free vaccination.
• Paediatric emergencies: Available 24 hours at Hospital Virxe da Xunqueira.
• Well-child checks: Regular free check-ups at the health centre.

Thermal Baths and Health Tourism

Galicia is famous for its thermal waters, a medicinal tradition dating back to Roman times:

• Caldas de Reis Thermal Baths: 45 km from Cee, 35°C thermal waters with therapeutic properties. Full spa treatments available.
• Carballo Spa: 30 km, sulphurous waters for respiratory and skin conditions.
• Carnés Spring (Cee): Free-access ferruginous spring with digestive properties.

Practical Tips for the International Community

• Register on the padrón: First step to access public healthcare.
• Keep your EHIC handy: If European, always carry your card.
• Consider private insurance: Especially if you don't speak Spanish/Galician.
• Useful apps: Download Sergas Móvil for appointments, results and e-prescriptions.
• Electronic prescription: Sergas allows collecting medicines at any pharmacy with your health card.

Considering a move to the Costa da Morte? Contact Cristina Casas Galiza. We will help you find the perfect home and guide you through all practical aspects of life in the area, including healthcare.