STORYTIME: HOSPITALS IN MELBOURNE
So for those of you who know me personally will know that my darling boyfriend Scott has Type 1 diabetes, and most of the time this is under control and doesn’t usually affect our holidays.
He is a bit of nuisance when travelling through security at the airport, or any bag check areas for that matter, as so many people don’t seem to understand why he needs to carry insulin/ sugar drinks/ snacks everywhere with him!
I just recall having to go through security for the Eiffel Tower and trying to explain to an angry French security guard why he was carrying needles!
Note to self: learn in the word ‘insulin’ and ‘diabetic’ in the native language in future!
So fast forward to our first trip to Australia, we’re staying in a lovely apartment which (thankfully) had an incredible view of the city. On our first night we grab a late night McDonald’s after going for some fun cocktails at a Berlin themed bar (see post about Melbourne food and drink). Then in the middle of the night Scott wakes up with food poisoning, which obviously is dangerous if you’re diabetic since it makes managing your blood sugar difficult.
In hindsight, we should have taken him to hospital immediately and maybe we would have got more of a holiday, but that is a luxury we did not have. I kept him alive on a diet of Gatorade for the next two days! (in case your were wondering, the pink one is the best flavour)
FINALLY, we book an appointment at the doctors after sorting out a Medicare Card (which is a fantastic idea if you’re a visitor in Melbourne/ Victoria - I’m not sure on the requirements for other states) The only downside to this is it requires you to sit and queue up for a couple of hours whilst you do the application, taking away even more valuable,e holiday time. This allowed us to book the appointment, and (I think) it was a reduced cost, maybe even free. I know at the time we had to pay around $50 for something, but we’re able to get this refunded (unfortunately only into an Australian bank account). But the peace of mind was worth this small fee.
We eventually got sent to the hospital which THANKFULLY was free since the NHS has a reciprocal agreement in place. We just provided a valid passport and the rest was super simple. Honestly the best service and care I have ever witnessed in my life at a hospital. Scott was seen straight away, all the staff we SO KIND. I had a comfortable chair to sleep on since we stayed overnight whilst Scott was on a drip. One nurse even brought us both some heated blankets.
Huge shout out to the staff at VICTORIA UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, you are all amazing!
We left the next morning after having breakfast (for Scott, not me) feeling much better ready to continue exploring the city of Melbourne!
Lessons Learnt:
Find the nearest hospital to where you’re staying
Understand how to get medical help where you’re travelling, where from and if you need to pay anything in advance
Don’t eat McDonald’s abroad ;)
