| NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : claire connolly (---.leic-b-1.access.uk.tiscali.com)
posts : 1
Date : 02-27-08 00:28
BEEN TO BOROVETS 6 TIMES BUT NEVER NEEDED MEDICAL CARE THANK GOD, UNTIL OUR 11 YEAR OLD SON BROKE HIS LEG ON FEBRUARY 12TH. TAKEN TO A SO CALLED APPROVED MEDICAL CENTRE ,WRONG PLASTER ,TOO TIGHT,NO ENGLISH, NO PAIN RELIEF, THEN TAKEN TO SAMAKOV HOSPITAL, CARE WORSE, DIRTY,SIGNED HIM OUT,THEN BACK TO 24 HR MEDICALCENTRE IN BEROVETS, NEW PLASTIC PLASTER APPLIED ,NOT SPLIT TO ALLOW FOR SWELLING,AGAIN TOO TIGHT,NO PAIN RELIEF ANYWHERE EXCEPT CALPOL THAT I HAD MYSELF,SENT BACK TO HOTEL, HAD TO CALL DOCTOR AT 12MN,3AM,5AM, EACH TIME HE TRIED TO LOOSEN BITS OF THE PLASTER,TOES WHITE AND COLD AT THIS STAGE AND IN HORRENDOUS PAIN.NURSED HIM THROUGH UNTIL 10AM WHEN 2 DOCTORS CAME TO OUR ROOM IN THE RILA HOTEL, NEEDED PLASTER OFF BUT NO TOOLS FOR SAME, THEY ARGUED BETWEEN THEMSELVES, AT THIS POINT I TOOK THE LAW INTO MY OWN HANDS ,GOT NO. OF IRISH EMBASSY IN SOFIA, EXPLAINED RISK OF LOSING LEG AT THIS STAGE(I'M A NURSE 25 YRS) , I WAS LIKE A MAD IRISH WOMAN ,THEY WERE OUTSTANDING, SENT AMBULANCE ,WENT TO SOFIA MILITARY HOSPITAL,EMBASSY STAFF AND INTERPRETER WERE WAITING,PLASTER REMOVED AND THEY WERE SHOCKED AT THE STATE OF THE LEG AND PLASTER. BACK SLAB PLASTER APPLIED AND LEG RESTED SPENT 3 NIGHTS HERE, 1ST CLASS CARE BUT NOT OFFICAILLY COVERED BY INSURANCE AS IT WAS A PRIVATE HOSP. PREVIOUS 2 MEDICAL CENTRES AND LOCAL HOSP WERE COVERED!!! AMBULANCE TRANSFER TO AIRPORT, STRETCHERED ONTO PLANE TO BELFAST,FROM HERE TO LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR ASSESSMENT AND TRANSFERED TO ROYAL VICTORIA HOSP FOR SICK CHILDREN IN BELFAST, TO THEATRE,GENERAL ANASTHETIC,LEG HOPEFULLY FIXED ,NOW HEAVY PLASTER FOM TOES TO HIP!!THEY WERE SUPERB AND VERY CARING AND AWARE OF ALL THE TRAUMA CHRIS HAD GONE THROUGH.OUR BALKAN TOURS HOLIDAY REP PLAMEN WAS NEXT TO USELESS AND ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT MONEY AND WHO WOULD PAY FOR WHAT.IF YOU ARE THINKING OF BULGARIA PLEASE PLEASE THINK AGAIN THEIR MEDICAL CARE IS 3RD WORLD AND WE HAVE SURVIVED A NIGHTMARE.I HONESTLY CAN'T TELL YOU HOW BAD IT WAS.IN FAIRNESS WHEN I CONTACTED THE INSURANCE COMPANY FROM BULGARIA,"EUROP ASSISTANCE" THEY WERE VERY HELPFUL AND TOLD ME TO DO WHATEVER I HAD TO DO TO GET MY SON SORTED.UNFORTUNATELY TO ALLOW ROOM FOR MY SON TO FLY HOME MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER HAD TO FLY VIA LUTON SO DIDN'T SEE US FORM WE LEFT IN THE AMBULANCE TO SOFIA UNTIL LAST SATURDAY!! I KNOW I COULD WRITE FOREVER BUT SPEND A BIT MORE AND GO TO AUSTRIA,FRANCE ETC. WHERE YOU HAVE THE FACILITIES.AS MY SON CALLED THEN "BULGARIAN BUTCHERS" I ECHO THOSE WORDS .BEWARE.
IN SUMMARY 4 PLASTER CASTS IN 6 MEDICAL CENTRES/HOSPITALS!!
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : sam (---.nott.cable.ntl.com)
posts : 3675
Date : 02-27-08 00:35
difficult to read due to all capitals, sorry you had such a bad experience. Hope your son is ok now,
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : mikey (---.wfd80a.dsl.pol.co.uk)
posts : 367
Date : 02-27-08 02:36
Actually very easy to read due to all capitals.Sorry about your nightmare claire.Good point at the end-about medical level of service in BG and comparisons with other ski places around Europe.
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : fraser (78.83.243.---)
posts : 217
Date : 02-27-08 09:13
sorry to hear of your problems. The medical centres here in Boro are private, and there are some good ones, you fund the bad one. The hospital in Samokov is definately not the best, and like a lot of european countries, the best care is in the 'paid ' sector. In UK we are lucky to have the NHS alot of other European countries have a two tier system like here.
My feelings are that you were let down badly by the tour company who should have done everything they could to help, even more so with a child. I hope you express your concerns to them in the strongest possible terms.
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : Jenks (195.8.190.---)
posts : 3
Date : 02-27-08 11:22
Mikey!???."Actually very easy to read due to all the capitals"..What!??
NOT easy to read at all!, capitals and no gaps to even draw breath!
Sorry to hear about this tale... An isolated incident?
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : SimonSki (62.189.219.---)
posts : 192
Date : 02-27-08 11:30
My mates 12 YO broke his leg in Pamps 10minutes into our holiday!
Medical care was good if a little 50's.
Re X-rayed back home on Monday to find Ok, but needed to be replastered as the one put on was opencast for the flight.
No complaints just a little old fashioned.
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : Sammie (---.pete.cable.ntl.com)
posts : 11
Date : 02-27-08 11:42
Oh bugger, we are going to on 8th and i am prone to hurting myself,i have 2 insurances and really worried on going now, Does any1 know howto say pain relief in bulgaria by any chance?
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : WBD (---.137.63.194-rev.loze.net)
posts : 67
Date : 02-27-08 11:43
yes - you say it with a bundle of 20 lev notes..usually works!
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : WBD (---.137.63.194-rev.loze.net)
posts : 67
Date : 02-27-08 11:47
my view of BG healthcare is much as others - a little dated but quite adequate
Claire, your family's experience is quite awful and it does seem that your holiday company must take a lot of the responsibility. The rep sounds fairly useless, out of their depth, and more concerned with kickbacks, and it has to be the fault of the holiday co to have somebody so wholely inadequate out there.
Big 'Get well Soon' for Master Connolly and no excuses for skivving achool :-)
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : Jack (---.14.27.195.in-addr.arpa)
posts : 152
Date : 02-27-08 12:05
Claire,
What a nightmare, yes we all are aware of the possibilities when skiing but should be reassured that the care will be good if the worst occurs, not there obviously. Reassuring to hear the Irish embassey were helpful, but that's why we pays our taxes .
Hope he is well soon with best wishes from the sunny south east of Ireland.
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : sancho_p (---.midd.cable.ntl.com)
posts : 48
Date : 02-27-08 12:56
I would agree with WBD - dated but adequate. I dislocated my shoulder in Pamps, and had x-rays and a local aensethetic betfor it was put back.
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : Stu (---.segfl.ifl.net)
posts : 121
Date : 02-27-08 13:10
One of our party broke their collar bone on the second day of the trip. Luckily his fall took place close to a lift and help was quite close at hand. The rescue centre x rayed him to prove their suspisions and strapped him up.
The help we received was adequate, although the 'bedside manner' that you might expect at home was limited. I got the feeling that we were just another injury in a long line.
It did put a dampener on what was a very enjoyable holiday. It is soul destroying to see one of your group missing out whilst the rest of us ski. There isnt much to do when you get injured.
The Balkan holiday rep was very good and wrote a full report that was required by the insurance company.
Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our holiday in the wild west town of Borovets(agree Buzz Bar a bit dodgy). The snow was good for the majority of the time despite the warm weather. Ski school was a bit hit and miss. Hotel Igilka was well sitiuated and the food was fine. My best run had to be from the top of the gondola. Down the blue and then connect to the black 'FONFON', past the gondola mid station and onto the nice wide red along a connecting path. Cracking ride.
Hope all going soon have a great time and that the snow gods shine. Take care and enjoy.
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : Gogs (---.cable.ubr02.edin.blueyonder.co.uk)
posts : 293
Date : 02-27-08 14:35
Sorry to hear about your bad experience Claire. Last week my mates wife badly damaged her knee in Bansko and everything seemed to go smoothly.
She was very quickly taken off the mountain and seen by a doctor in the medical centre at the gondola who immobilized her knee. She went back the next day and bought a leg brace so she didn't have to go into plaster.
She was operated on in Durham yesterday and found to have ripped her medial and cruciate ligaments. Hopefully she will make a full recovery
My only complaint was that she was charged for being taken off the mountain, certainly in Austria you lift-pass is also an insurance policy to get you off the mountain free of charge if your injuried.
But my one bit of advise is make sure you've got a good insurance policy.
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : mikey (---.wfd80a.dsl.pol.co.uk)
posts : 367
Date : 02-27-08 15:05
charged for being taken off the mountain? It is not correct.They will have taken her off the montain to the med centre on top of Gondola and after that at the bottom and then ringing straight away the UK insurance company to confirm details and everything should be taken care from then on(in med centre there is a agent which does that for you to confirm details and gives the go ahead with the nessessary procedures.no money handling at any stages unless you want specifically to do something against the advise of the ins co.if you have paid to the snow sledges mountain people for doing good job or something as a thank you, that is different.
When the snow deteriorates the injuries rise fast.
Especially when slushy (makes is dificult to turn and the skis edge very quick),icy(just pray you are good enough skier),or low visibility -simly slow down look always above you when you join the flow.and wear highly visible bits on your clothing.
In conditions like this the usable runs are less and the crowds are more.Doctors in any place are sworn to help -maybe the problem was the Balkan Rep Plamene-you have been a bad boy and in need of immediate sack and replacement.Hope the Balkan bosses read this topic and take note.(problems -although UK based company they are still owned by BG people so there you have it)
good few years ago my son broke thumb because of negligence of the people maintaining the ski runs(long story)at the time even the boss on the company responsible was even laghing when I said I will take them to the cleaners.Had a photo dated evidence,made notes who said what with timing the guilt was clear and guess what-they paid every penny they had .mind you I am and BG citizen so had to push a little harder to brake them
but my point is that it is possible to make them accountable.Now is even easier since within EU.
claire make sure when he is recovered to pursue to the end and find every guilty one to the books.
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : Gogs (---.cable.ubr02.edin.blueyonder.co.uk)
posts : 293
Date : 02-27-08 20:28
mikey, the insurance company was conntacted and they paid the charge for her being taken of the mountain, but the point I was trying to make was that in places like Austria there is no charge, it is included in your lift pass.
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : sam (---.nott.cable.ntl.com)
posts : 3675
Date : 02-27-08 20:38
Gogs
I think there is a charge in all european countrys its not free. When we were last in Bansko you caould buy insurance for about 10 lev a family so if you needed mountain rescue you were covered, they sold it when you bought your lift pass, don't know if thats still the case.
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : Gogs (---.cable.ubr02.edin.blueyonder.co.uk)
posts : 293
Date : 02-27-08 20:47
My mate got taken of the glacier at Kaprun (Austria) in a helicopter and didn't pay a penny, in fact they were joking with him that people will do anything for a free helicopter ride.
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : snowy owl (---.range86-161.btcentralplus.com)
posts : 1
Date : 02-27-08 22:22
Fraser can you give us the name of the dodgy medical centre on this site so we all know where to avoid please. This is a very worrying post for those of us about to come to Bulgaria to ski with children tell us which medical centre to go to please.
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : TJ (89.243.227.---)
posts : 188
Date : 02-27-08 22:37
My husband broke his collar bone and went to the 24 hour medical center behind the Buzz Bar. He was treated quickly and effectively. When he went to the hospital after, in England, the first thing they said when looking at his sling and harness, was 'You obviously weren't treated in England'. When he asked why, they said, because he would not have been given such a good sling anywhere here.
I've already had a rant about the amount of injuries I saw during my week in Borovets (so i won't go on about that), What i will say though is that all of them looked as if they had been treated appropriately. Having said that I'm not a doctor or a nurse.
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : sam (---.nott.cable.ntl.com)
posts : 3675
Date : 02-28-08 00:03
that suprizes me you do normally get charged.
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : Snow princess (---.range81-153.btcentralplus.com)
posts : 107
Date : 02-28-08 22:25
That is just dreadful care, in future I will be taking my plaster scissors & crepe bandages just in case, thankfully I always take plenty of pain relief (always needed). Although I will say it's not just Bulgaria that can be bad I have worked on a trauma ward and have had some completely innapropriately treated people admitted from the middle east & spain. My sister fractured her ankle & was treated in Miami when she was x-rayed back home the consultant thought she had had an old fracture too (she hadn't) because it was set so badly. And don't even get me started on what I have seen doctors do in this counrty. The problem is when people don't have enough knowledge to distinguish between accepted pain for the injury and damage done by poor medical care. It's a good warning to all, if it hurts like hell, doesn't look or feel right complain, as claire said if she hadn't taken action her son could have lost his leg.
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : The Insider (78.90.79.---)
posts : 137
Date : 02-28-08 22:56
Dont want to sound petty with this one, but it was the Balkan Tours Rep and not the Balkan Holidays Rep.
Two completely different companies,not associted.
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : mikey (---.wfd80a.dsl.pol.co.uk)
posts : 367
Date : 02-29-08 01:06
dont panic chances to end up on a stretcher zooming down to base for medical care still very slim
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : Bob Stoned (78.145.89.---)
posts : 7
Date : 03-03-08 01:21
Just try entinox or morphine they should know what you are saying
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : Scaredy_cat (---.pool1.Leeds-WYK2020-BAS0001.orangeho)
posts : 37
Date : 03-03-08 11:58
Mikey- My daughter broke her wrist in Bansko and was escorted by her instructor to top Gondola station, where they found me.
We weren't charged for the first aid she received on the mountain,but like you say,an agent deals with the insurance details when you arrive in the medical centre.
Money does however ,change hands for the insurance excess, £50 in our case. .No money = no treatment. I saw people in agony waiting for friends /relatives to return with money to pay the excess so that they could be treated.
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : Pamporovo Pete (---.proxy.aol.com)
posts : 10165
Date : 03-03-08 12:48
I can only speak of my experience in Sunny Beach 3 years ago.
I was lying on the beach feeling a little unwell. (I've been diabetic for 34 years.) When I tried to walk to the hotel I could hardly put one foot in front of the other but eventually we made it back. Angie called a doctor who arrived in about 15 minutes. He instantly called an ambulance and I was taken to the medical centre and under-went tests. No money was ever discussed. My blood sugar level was at 48.6 (normal is around 4) and many people have died with much lower levels than that.
They immediately stuck drips in me to fight off a virus that I had picked up and the attention I recieved was fantastic. A nurse never left my side for 4 days (day and night) and eventually after 10 days I was back to normal. The basic attention was awsome although the methods were very old fashioned. I had a blood test ever hour for 6 days where they would prick my finger and suck the blood off with a straw before blowing it into a test tube. My drip was housed in a sawn off Diet Coke bottle but when you are that ill nothing matters other than getting better.
I can never thank them enough for what they did for me - they saved my life of that I have no doubt whatsoever, and insurance was NEVER dscussed until I was fit and well again. The insurance paid 100% of my treatment which came to approx. £3,000.
Whenever I visit Sunny Beach now it is the first place we go to see the doctors and nurses that were so kind to me.
I'll never forget what they did - never.
Pete 
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : Clare (---.ipt.aol.com)
posts : 76
Date : 04-28-08 19:18
PLEASE HELP!!!!
I went to Rila hotel in Borovets on 1st March, and on the 2nd promptly broke my arm!
Medical care was good for me however, i cannot contact the hotel or doctor as after 2 months i still have not received the medical bill and therefore cannot claim on insurance yet.
Does anyone have an email address for them in order for me to chase this up.
Please help me!
Clare
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : Clare (---.ipt.aol.com)
posts : 76
Date : 04-28-08 19:20
PLEASE HELP!!!!
I went to Rila hotel in Borovets on 1st March, and on the 2nd promptly broke my arm!
Medical care was good for me however, i cannot contact the hotel or doctor as after 2 months i still have not received the medical bill and therefore cannot claim on insurance yet.
Does anyone have an email address for them in order for me to chase this up.
Please help me!
Clare
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : steve (---.pool1.unallocated-106-0.orangehomedsl)
posts : 1931
Date : 04-28-08 20:18
I had the same problem with a hospital in the capital Sofia, with our two year old son, the hospital was dreadful and the doctors had no idea, no wonder bulgarian people want to come to the uk, I love you NHS
|
| |
Reply to this message |
| re: NIGHTMARE MEDICAL CARE IN BOROVETS |
Author : Caz (---.cable.ubr06.brad.blueyonder.co.uk)
posts : 313
Date : 05-02-08 23:03
Claire
You have my empathy with this one. 5 years ago in Sunny Beach my son had a quad bike accident resulting in a fractured scull, broken arm and bad vuts and bruises. The locals could not have been more helpful. They called the ambulance and translated. Unfortunately Vulgaria is a poor country and the care we received was very old fashioned but the staff in Bourgas hospital were fantastic even though the language was a problem. Balkans rep Drago couldn't have done enough for us, he organised food (cos they don't feed you in hospital) and a brilliant taxi driver to the hospital every day so me and hubby could take it in turns to be at the hospital 24/7. I agree the x-rays were really old fashioned and the plaster caused terrible blisters on my sons arm when we had it removed as soon as we touched down in UK. We spent 7 days in the hospital but what a lot of friends we made. We return every year to see them all and end up making more new ones as well. I love Bulgaria and its people and can't wait to go over in 2 weeks time, its like going to a second home now. Our insurnace companu paid all our bills except for the first £50 we had to pay on discharge fromt he hospital. I do think they need to upgrade the ambulances though, there wasn't even any oxygen on board or neck collars which are routine here!
Caz
|
| |
Reply to this message |
