At this moment in time the world is close to a pandemic level of the Coronavirus virus. Italy is experiencing (COVID-19) with an alarming number of cases.  Updates on the crisis are released daily.

This brings up the topic of tourists, students and/or visitors to Florence who may experience illness of all types when traveling.

Often I get questions from friends who are embarking upon a trip to Italy as to what can they do if they become ill while there…

Full disclosure, I’m not in Florence as I write due to the travel restrictions imposed by both the US and Italy.  However I can share with you some suggestions as to what to do if medical help is needed while on a visit.

As a reassurance to the quality of health care in Italy, please note that Italy is often ranked in the top 10 countries world wide for best healthcare.  In 2019 has been ranked number 2, (on the same list the US ranked number 37).

http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/best-healthcare-in-the-world/

Excellent medical assistance is readily available all 24/7.

In an emergency, you get yourself to a hospital either with a taxi or in severe situations, call an ambulance (Know the address where you are staying or where the emergency occurred): dial 118. If you live in the center of Florence you will be taken to Santa Maria Nuova, address: Piazza S. Maria Nuova 1: Tel. 055-27581
This is the not only a beautiful historic hospital but also a good hospital.

A bit further from the center of the city is Careggi Hospital (Ospedale Careggi). It is the university hospital and considered the best in Florence.  Usually if in an ambulance you will be taken to the closest hospital.

Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence

Largo Brambilla 3

50134, Florence, Italy

055 794 111; 055 794 7790

The Meyer hospital is the University of Florence pediatric hospital located in Careggi at Viale Pieraccini 24 50139 Firenze Italy – Phone 055 56621

*Note that during this current health crisis re: Cornovirus (COVID-19), a triage system is in effect. Folks will be screened before entering the emergency room in an outdoor tent like structure on the hospital property.

These hospitals are well staffed and offer excellent care.

The Misericordia, is a charitable institution founded in 1244  to care for the sick.  Over the centuries it has evolved to one of the most important  health organizations in Italy.  In Florence it supplies the majority of ambulance transportation, staffed by volunteers. Also doctors who are in private practice as well as public, may donate their services  an average of one day a week, to offer care for office visits at a minimum price.  These days about 42 euros, which covers administrative fees. On the site’s website you can also book appointments with specialists  who have their full resume posted.  We have often used their services and have been most satisfied. These are the very same well qualified doctors who work in the best hospitals in Florence. Appointments are much easier to get then waiting  weeks to see specialists in their offices. The Misericordia has offices in various neighborhoods of Florence, including the main office near the Duomo and close to the historic Museum of the Misericordia.

If you are a resident in Florence you can belong to the public healthcare system and find a general physician in your neighborhood.  When we lived in Florence full time we were able to see our doctor usually the next day and in some cases have the doctor make a home visit.  These general practitioners can offer services to those who are not in the system and you would be charged for the visit.  To get names of doctors in the area you are staying, go to your local pharmacy to get some recommendations.   The local farmacia is an important resource in Italy.  Staffed with well trained pharmacists who also can preform such services as taking a simple blood test which gives you results within ten minutes. Their recommendations for medications are very accurate and some meds can be purchased without a doctor’s prescription,

The American Consulate offers a list of practitioners who speak in English as well as other medical resources.

The American Consulate located at Lungarno Vespucci, 38
Phone: (+39) 055.266.951 has lists of doctors who speak English as well as other medical resources.

U.S. Consulate General Florence

Most hospitals have a “guardia medica” which is a form of urgent care. It isn’t the emergency room, and it usually is reserved for times when a person’s regular physician is not available through normal business hours. Many tourists as well as residents use this service. Also an excellent system.

You can rest assured if in Italy there are many ways to get excellent assistance.

In this time of world concern about COVID_19,  I wish you safety and strength.