I am a 22 year old student in the hospitality industry who has had type�1 diabetes since age 11 (treated with mixed insulin by pen), I am due to graduate in about six months, and I wish to move to Spain for a few years. I would like to know a little bit about the Spanish health care system involving diabetes. Will access to insulin be as easy and straightforward as it is here in the United Kingdom? Will I be able to get my regular check-ups?

There should be no problem in getting your usual supplies in Spain, although it might be wise to take two or three months of insulin with you until you know exactly where you are going to live. With regard to checkups, there will be no difficulty in getting care, but you will need to arrange some sort of insurance coverage. Spain has a National Health Service (as in the United Kingdom) which provides reciprocal service in the rest of the EU.

You should find out if the NHS has a similar arrangement either from your doctor or the British Diabetes Association, 10 Queen Anne St. London WIM OED, Tel 71-323-1531. I rather suspect they won’t. If you plan to get care privately, the BDA may also be able to help with names. here are two other contacts. One is Sanitas, and the other is the Spanish Diabetes Society, Santa Isabel 51, 28012 Madrid, Spain.

DOB