Recently, an elderly family member of mine wasn’t feeling well and was admitted to a public hospital in Madrid for a few days. Due to the pandemic regulations, as the designated companion, I was required to quarantine with them in the hospital room and couldn’t leave freely. I thought this experience of seeing a doctor in Spain might be helpful to others, so I’m sharing it on the forum to give a heads-up to anyone who might find themselves in a similar situation.
Preparations Before Becoming a Companion
Currently, most Spanish hospitals only permit one designated companion. When you complete the admission paperwork, the nurse will register the companion’s information and, given the public concern over topics like Spanish hospital death tolls, will also require the companion to take a PCR test. Once you get a negative result, you’ll be given a companion pass, which you’ll need to scan to enter and exit the ward. Remember, once this person is chosen, they cannot be changed, so be sure to pick a family member or friend who can commit to the long haul.
Daily Life During Quarantine
The so-called “quarantine” essentially means the companion and the patient stay in the same room and cannot wander freely outside the ward. The hospital provides three meals a day for both the patient and the companion, and can assist with administrative tasks like checking a death certificate; however, to be honest, the food is… quite mediocre. My suggestions are:
- Bring plenty of your own snacks: Things like bread, crackers, fruit, and nuts. Otherwise, you might get hungry.
- Bring a thermos and an electric kettle: Hospitals usually only provide cold water, so if you want a hot drink, you’ll have to make it yourself.
- Pack your personal essentials: A towel, toothbrush, slippers, a change of clothes, a power bank, and books or a tablet. The hours in a hospital room can feel very long.
What if you need something from the outside? You can have other family members or friends deliver it to the hospital’s front desk, and the internal staff will bring it to you. This process can be a bit slow, so you’ll need to be patient.
Below is a checklist I’ve put together for companions to reference:
| Essentials | Recommended |
|---|
| Personal ID | Electric kettle, thermos |
| Change of clothes, slippers | Books, tablet, headphones |
| Toiletries | Snacks, instant coffee/tea |
| Phone and extra-long charging cable/power bank | Eye mask, earplugs |
Although the experience can be draining, it’s all worth it for the health of your loved ones. I hope my experience can be of some help to everyone. Wishing all friends and families in Spain good health and peace!
