Today I experienced a previously unknown side of ERASMUS life, but one which I feel is extra-important to share: the health service of my chosen country. Having heard various horror stories of ERASMUS students take ill in various European countries (“then the doctor suggested that we drove over the border and tried the hospital there instead!!”), I was dismayed to become ill in a way I could not ignore. My throat/body/ears/head ached horribly, and having endured it for three days, mostly with help from C’s trusty supply of Tesco painkillers from home, I decided it would be best to seek a bit of professional reassurance. I made my way to campus and entered the most serene, quiet surgery possible. Having taken a number on a slip of paper from a machine, rather like the ones favoured by Sainsbury’s deli counters at home and yet prized above almost all else in the retail industry here, I waited for my number to be called. I was then directed into a small room with a very qualified secretary. She questioned me on my symptoms in depth, taking various notes, and found me an appointment later that day. However, before leaving I was told to wait outside to be called to the test room. I waited just a few minutes before a tannoy announced my name and destination, and followed a narrow corridor where a friendly doctor proceeded to take a swab of my throat, detailed temperature note, and two blood tests. Now, let’s not forget the fact that I essentially entered with a sore throat, their efficiency was beginning to alarm me. I was tested specifically for streptococcus, which came back negative, and then sent home with a cotton wool bud hiding my poor pricked vein (the doctor looked genuinely surprised that this was my first experience of blood tests and now most probably has a terrible opinion of the comparatively neglectful British health service).
Later that day I returned to be poked and prodded a bit more by another doctor, receive my results (relatively normal, hurrah!), and given my bill. Yes! Unfortunately as an international student I’m not here long enough to make a permanent doctor a worthwhile arrangement and, as such, I had to pay for my consultation fee in addition to the regular charge paid by all Norwegian citizens each time they visit the doctor, all in all making my bill around £20. Whilst I wasn’t over the moon about this, it is clear to see that even the fee paid by everyone is a deterrent to time-wasters, making for such an efficient, well-oiled service.
Asides from doctors surgeries and the like, I have been lucky enough to avoid anything as serious as a hospitalization during my year abroad so far (touch wood), though am friends with an unusual number of medical students. As such, I have visited the local hospital on a number of occasions with them (not to mention their student bar in the basement), and still can’t get over the place, which resembles more hotel than hospital in my (albeit narrow) experience:
I suppose it's rather comforting to know that Norway's general prosperity extends to the healthcare of residents, and must admit to feeling far more prioritised here than I ever have at home in the UK. I shall simply do my best to rid myself of all possible illnesses before my return home, and consequently wait for my bank account to burst into tears.
