Alan T. Says:
I liked your recent emails about Uruguay. My question is, do the doctors there speak English?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Jason,
Technically, the answer is yes, you can find English-speaking doctors and healthcare professionals in Uruguay. But the situation is a little more complex.
Aside from the British Hospital in Montevideo, where about 25% of the doctors and staff speak English, most hospital workers and doctors in Uruguay only speak Spanish.
Many expats find a good English-speaking doctor by asking other expats in the same hospital plan.
To sign up with a health plan, you can find reputable bilingual relocation consultants who can explain the details, guide you through the process, and show you how it all works.
However, even with an English-speaking doctor, you’ll still need to make an appointment and interact with staff.
Appointments at Asociación Española, which has many hospitals and clinics in Montevideo and beyond, can be made online. Some expats make appointments using Google Translate on their home computer.
Others go to their nearest Asociación Española clinic to make an appointment in person. They’ll use their own beginner Spanish, the help of a bilingual friend, a written note, or a translating app.
If you can’t get an appointment with an English-speaking doctor for your particular need, use the help of a translator, whether it’s in person or over the phone.
Learning some basic Spanish will go a long way to help you live independently in Uruguay, including visiting the doctor.
My friend Warren Hardy offers an easy-to-learn Spanish course that will get you speaking basic Spanish in no time! You can find the details on the IL Bookstore.
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