Today, I had to go to the doctors, but since I couldn't get an appointment at World Link that day and I didn't know what hospitals have a "foreigners" section, I went to the hospital near my home which was a completely local hospital. It is quite a process but I thought that I'd pass on the procedural information for anyone who ever finds themselves at a local hospital and needing to see a doctor:

1. Once you enter the hospital, you must go the the reception counter to get a piece of paper with a number on it. They will also ask you what is wrong so that they can give you the numbered piece of paper that sends you to the right department.

2.After that, you take your piece of paper and stand in line by the registration counter (it is written in English), when it's your turn, you hand them your ID/passport and then they do some paper work and charge you some administration fee (mine was RMB 16). You are then handed a wad of papers and a plastic card and told to go to the department to see a doctor. Don't loose these papers or card coz they state that you have paid the administration fee and have gone through the previous processes.

3. You find the right department and wait in line to see the doctor where they do their thing and diagnose you and send you off with some additional papers.

4. You must then take these papers to the Payment counter and wait in line to pay. They will then stamp some of the papers to show that you have paid for the medicine and send you on your way.

5. Armed with these stamped papers you should then proceed to the medicine counter to pick up your medicine. Please note that there are western medicine and Chinese medicine counters. So you must go to the right one to pick up your medicine. I got both types so that was a tad confusing.

6. Now you can get out of there.

It's kind of frustrating to run around and go to the various places, but if you know the system, it's a tiny bit less hectic. You can always try asking someone where you should go but I got sent to the wrong place a few times, so that made this experience a little more annoying than it had to be. Anyways, with this procedural map, next time I should be ok.

Oops, just realised that this should be posted in the "Health Section". Could Moderators move it please? Thanks.

good information thanks!

You may want to consider Hua Shan Hospital outpatient clinic next time. The level of English is good & my wife and I were pleased with the service. 1068 Chang Le Lu

In PuDong - Renji is not bad. I have heard OK things about HuaShan in terms of quality of care. but when I went there they went out of their way to jack up the price.

Maybe it is not a factor if you have great insurance coverage, but we are just on plan that has a high deductible.- so it was likely to be out of pocket.

I just went through all this with a few different chinese hospitals. I needed a very simple operation. Most of my friends would call me crazy for getting an operation locally, but it was an education.

In a nutshell.. I went to HuaShan - who wanted 30k to 50K RMB.. .Renji who wanted 17K. and finally settled on Beijing DaXue Hospital in Shenzhen ( where I am alot anyway) for the same procedure, 6 days of hospital stay in a semi private room, and medications for 8K RMB. Their care was pretty good and their pain management was excellent.

What to do in a Chinese hospital?
Call your insurance broker for a quick quote on a life policy.

Well, I have also some experience to share:) It is all happening in Beijing but I guess must not be that different in other places.

I injured my foot and could not walk, it got swollen. So I come to a Chinese hospital withthe help of my boyfriend. First we need to pay registration fee of 5 yuans, then we get to a doctor. Luckily he speaks some English, so we could communicate quite well. Actually what I needed is to "operate" a bit and make a dressing. I started myself taking antibiotics. Prior to doing any action he send my boyfriend to pay some bill, totally he had to go four times, not bad:) He says that I need to take infusion, ok, I think, it is a much better wxay to deliver medicine to teh body. But then I realize that I have been sitting for 1.5 hours and got over with only one out of three bottles. I call the doctor and say that I will not take the other medicine as it is too long, then he says that the speed of dropping will be increased and finally I am done with totally 2.5 hours. I have to come for three days for this infusion. But the funniest thing is that everybody in the room for infusion is sitting there for 2-3 hours, it does not matter wether a person looks as a healthy one or a really sick one.

I was told afterwards that they like infusion in every kind of healing, it is a normal procedure here. A bit odd I find.

And for the condition of the hospital. Frankly much leaves to be desired, you enter and feel teh odor of the sold food, a hospital is a place where everything should be clean, sterilized...well I will not describe some awful details of antisanitarianism that I saw over there. Well, a developing country, someday, hopefully, it will improve.

Anniboodk wrote:They will also ask you what is wrong so that they can give you the numbered piece of paper that sends you to the right department.

Or not so right one.
These people are not doctors; they are not qualified to make a valid diagnosis. And it seems that when you are sent into a specific line, your chances to be treated well are slim by the time someone realises that your problem is not pulmunary but cardiac...

Talk to foreign doctors working in local hospitals and you will hear scary stories.

If not for a cold or benign trouble, do think twice before going local. Indeed, things can go just fine if there are no complicaitons and suprises, and we all know people who gave birth or had operations in VIP/foreigners sections local hospitals. But again, if things start getting of the track, my unserstanding is that you really have to worry, not only about availability of medicine and of operational equipment, but also practise/experience.

b.

I've been to Huashan hospital. I had to go there for some throat/lung infection nasty. The level of English there was very good and the nurse gave me a massive reduction in the bill (approx 200rmb) because I helped her with an English essay she had to write! English lessons for medicine - whatever...

Earlier this week I was feeling like total crap and couldn't eat anything (or hold it down at least) and went to a hospital near to Xujiahui. It's a massive place, but I can't remember the name or the exact street. No-one speaks English there but I was with the girlfriend who dealt with everything.

The service was pretty quick, but a little chaotic. While the doctor was diagnosing me there were several others in there trying to get her attention until she told them all to piss off out. One girl was stood outside staring at me, slackjawed.

Picked up some medicine and then went to this place for a jab which was witnessed by whoever wanted to have a look at my arse.

In and out in under an hour (the hospital, I mean, not the injection) and the cost was well under 100 rmb including taxis.

i broke 7 bones, the loca quack only saw 1 in the x-rays ( stay away from Aomen lu karting!!!)

i only got to c an American doctor because i wa the 1st whitey at the hospital. he saw that the cast i'd had for 4 days was useless and my hand was broken in 6 other different places.

DONT TRUST CHINESE DOCTORS. they r cheap but useless.

i have horror stories a go go bout chinese hospitals. but for simple things , they can be cheap and effective . Hua shan tried to charge a friend 4000 rmb for sth that was 130 rmb in a normal hospital. common flu crap

That's a pretty messed up story, Fukuman. I agree with you though, For general colds and simple stuff, I think that the local hospitals are good enough, but if I ever needed an operation or anything that required blood work, there is no way in hell I'd go to a local hospital. I'd rather pay 500% more for peace of mind.

peace of mind

You mean for life's sake, right?

I don't know where I can get peace of mind. When I lived in Vancouver I have had the most awful experieces with the hospitals and doctors. My 2 year old daugther once broke her arm and dislocated her elbow. We went to the emergency and was told "everything was ok". When I asked the doctor why my daughter was in so much pain I was told word by word "that will remain as a myth". I insisted on him double checking the xray and he told me again and again nothing was wrong. Now I have heard all of these stories in Shanghai and I am just wondering, where can i find peace of mind?

Finlayson: For kids try Fudan University Childrens Hospital. My year old daughter had heart surgery there 6 weeks ago and we were more than impressed with the level of care. From what we hear, when it gets specific the Chinese doctors are great, it's the primary care (colds, flu etc.) that sometimes leaves a little to be desired. We had no option to take our baby home because we really didn't want to put her on a plane in the condition she was in.

wow alexinchina, so glad to hear that everything is ok. Where/how was the condition diagnosed? Do you have a doctor there that you recommend at Fudan?

Condition was diagnosed in Denmark when the baby was born but we all thought that it was something that would right itself with time, but no. WorldLink sent us to Fudan when she started showing signs of heart failure and a Dr Jia (pediatric heart surgeon) performed the op. All this said I still take her to Dr Jenkins at WorldLink for most things because he's the best pediatrician I have come accross, he just can't perfom heart surgery!

Thanks a lot for the information AlexinChina! It's great to know that I can find a GOOD pediatrician in Shanghai. Hopefully the doctor you mentioned still takes patients.
Good luck with your little one's recovery. It must have been some experience for you!

finlayson wrote:Thanks a lot for the information AlexinChina! It's great to know that I can find a GOOD pediatrician in Shanghai. Hopefully the doctor you mentioned still takes patients.
Good luck with your little one's recovery. It must have been some experience for you!

I just went to Global HealthCare to see the doctor because i cannot get appoinment from World-Link. GHC is at 3rd floor of Kerry Center. Dr. Goulston from N.Y is quite good. You can try!

Willbebetter wrote:

finlayson wrote:Thanks a lot for the information AlexinChina! It's great to know that I can find a GOOD pediatrician in Shanghai. Hopefully the doctor you mentioned still takes patients.
Good luck with your little one's recovery. It must have been some experience for you!

I just went to Global HealthCare to see the doctor because i cannot get appoinment from World-Link. GHC is at 3rd floor of Kerry Center. Dr. Goulston from N.Y is quite good. You can try!

I went to book for a consultation for a Fudan Professor Skin Specialist at Fudan Vision Medical Centre. apparently they can help you to book the doctors and see the specialists in their comfortable and clean clinic in Central Huai hai road. Am really glad that the nurses were all bilingual and they also have Singaporean doctors too. check http://www.fudanvision.com

[MODERATOR'S NOTE- FUDAN VISION APPARENTLY WENT OUT OF BUSINESS IN 2006]

Willbebetter,
We're sorry you couldn't get in to see the doctor. Dr. Jenkins has a policy of seeing every patient who calls for him, and an appointment should have been scheduled for you.

If for some reason this happens again, try calling directly to the Pediatric Center at 6385 9889 extension 633. His assistant Rachel will see that you get in to see him.

Can i call any doctor home for treatment??
How can I do?

Hi there,

I'm so sorry to hear that you got upset by that hospital, i'm an insurance broker in Shanghai, so i have some hospital lists for everyone, especially for foreigners, better service, better hospitals:)

AIU Direct Billing Provider Network List in Shanghai (as of Dec, 2006)

World Link International Medical Centers
上海瑞新医疗中心

WorldLink Specialty & Inpatient Center
(Shanghai Xin Rui Healthcare Co. Ltd）
Address: 3rd floor, 170 Danshui Road, Shanghai, 200020
上海市淡水路170号3楼
Tel: +8621 6445 5999
Fax: +8621 6385 9890
Website: www.worldlink-shanghai.com
Email: services@worldlink-shanghai.com

WorldLink Hong Qiao Villa Medical Centre
(Shanghai Rui Xiang Clinic Co. Ltd.）
Address: 2258 Hong Qiao Lu, Hong Qiao, Shanghai, 201103
上海市虹桥路2258号
Tel: +8621 6445 5999
Fax: +8621 6242 8678
Website: www.worldlink-shanghai.com
Email: services@worldlink-shanghai.com

Shanghai Center Medical and Dental Center
(Shanghai Rui Xin Healthcare Co. Ltd.）
Address: 203-4 West Retail Plaza, 1376 Nanjing Xi Road, Shanghai, 200040
上海市南京西路1376号上海商城西峰203-4室
Medical Tel: +8621 6445 5999
Medical Fax: +8621 6279 7698
Dental Tel: +8621 6279 8318
Dental Fax: +8621 6279 8343
Website: www.worldlink-shanghai.com
Email: services@worldlink-shanghai.com

Jin Qiao Medical and Dental Center
(Shanghai Rui Pu Clinic Co. Ltd.）
Address: 51 Hong Feng Road, Jin Qiao, PuDong, Shanghai, 201206
上海市浦东金桥红枫路51号
Tel: +8621 5032 8288
Fax: +8621 5032 5825
Website: www.worldlink-shanghai.com
Email: services@worldlink-shanghai.com

Shanghai East International Medical Center
东方联合医院
Address: No.551 South Pudong Road, Shanghai, 200120
上海市浦东南路551号
Phone: +86 21 5879 9999
Fax: +86 21 6887 1089
Website: www.seimc.com.cn
Email : care@seimc.com.cn




Global Healthcare Clinic
全康医疗
Address: Rm 301, Shanghai Kerry Centre, No.1515 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai, 200040
上海市南京西路1515号上海嘉里中心301室
Phone: +86 21 5298 6339
Fax: +86 21 5298 6993
Website: www.ghcchina.com
Email: info@ghcchina.com

SinoUnited Health Clinic
Address: Rom 601, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai, 200041
上海市南京西路1376号上海商城601室
Phone: +86 21 6279 8920
Fax: +86 21 6279 8921
Website: www.sinounitedhealth.com
Email: tkeaney@sinounitedhealth.com

Sunshine Children’s Hospital
圣安儿童医疗中心
Address: 85 Yi Li Road (S), Ming Hang District, Shanghai, 201103
上海市闵行区伊犁南路85号
Phone: +86 21 5477 6480
Fax: +86 21 5477 6487
Website: www.sccsa.com.cn

CIDI Dental Clinic
西典齿科
Address: Rm 706-708, 7th Floor, No. 495 Jiangning Road, Shanghai, 200041
上海市江宁路495号706-708室
Phone: +86 21 5115 4575
Fax: +86 21 5115 4553
Website: www.cididental.com
Email: dentist@cididental.com

DUZ Dental
得之口腔诊所
Address: 28D East Tower, XinAn Building, No.200 ZhenNing Road, Shanghai, 200040
上海市镇宁路200号欣安大厦东峰28D
Phone: +86 21 6247 3247
Fax: +86 21 6247 3246
Website: www.duz-dental.com

United Family
上海和睦家医院
Hospital
Address: No.1139 Xianxia Road, Shanghai, 200336
上海市长宁区仙霞路1139号
Phone: +86 21 5133 1901
Fax: +86 21 5133 1919
Website: www.unitedfamilyhospitals.com
Email: shumarketing@ufh.com.cn



Clinic
Address: Ground Floor,Clubhouse, Shanghai Racquet Club,
Lane 555, Jinfeng Lu, Huacao Town, Shanghai
上海市闵行区华漕镇金丰路555弄上海网球俱乐部底楼
Phone: +86 21 2201 0995
Website: www.unitedfamilyhospitals.com
Email: srcclinic@ufh.com.cn

Shanghai Chenxin Hospital
上海辰新医院
Address: Level 9, 937 Yan An Xi Road, Shanghai, 200050
上海市延安西路937号9楼
Phone: +86 21 6225 3456
Fax: +86 21 6211 4451
Website: www.chenxin.com.cn
Email: service@chenxin.com.cn

Shanghai Guangci Memorial Hospital
上海广慈纪念医院
Address: 197, Ruijin er Road, Shanghai, 200025
上海市瑞金二路197号
Phone: +86 21 6437 8700
Fax: +86 21 6431 2610
Email: guangci@rjh.com.cn


Arrail Dental
瑞尔齿科
Lippo Plaza Clinc
Add: Unit 204, Lippo Plaza, 222 HuaiHai Zhong Road, Shanghai 200021
上海市淮海中路222号力宝广场204室
Tel: 021-53966539
Fax: 021-53965971
Website: www.arrail-dental.com
E-mail: ash@arrail-dental.com

Times Square Clinc
Add: Unit 417, Huarun Times Square, 500 Zhang yang Road, Shanghai 200122
上海市浦东新区张杨路500号华润时代广场417室
Tel: 021-58368100
Fax: 021-58368690
Website: www.arrail-dental.com
E-mail: ashts@arrail-dental.com

Super Brand Mall Clinic
Add: B1, Super Brand Mall, Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai 200122
上海市浦东陆家嘴西路正大广场地下1楼
Tel: 021-50476878
Fax: 021-50476877
Website: www.arrail-dental.com
E-mail: ashbr@arrail-dental.com




Nanjing Road Clinic
Add: 3F Ciro’s Plaza, 388 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai 200003
上海市南京西路388号仙乐斯广场3楼
Tel: 021-63599359
Fax:021-63595359
Website: www.arrail-dental.com
E-mail: ashcl@arrail-dental.com

Hope this information is kinda helpful for who needs.

finlayson wrote:I don't know where I can get peace of mind. When I lived in Vancouver I have had the most awful experieces with the hospitals and doctors. My 2 year old daugther once broke her arm and dislocated her elbow. We went to the emergency and was told "everything was ok". When I asked the doctor why my daughter was in so much pain I was told word by word "that will remain as a myth". I insisted on him double checking the xray and he told me again and again nothing was wrong. Now I have heard all of these stories in Shanghai and I am just wondering, where can i find peace of mind?

Finlay try Shanghai East International Medical Centre, http://www.seimc.com.cn/

Inside a big chinese hospital in pudong but have western doctors and a surgical team, sorted my neck out after a horror show at the "Western clinic" at ruijin teaching hospital, presuming you have private health care they will be for you.

Anyone has any comments / feedback on Guo Bin hospital in Jing'An district?

GuoBin Hospital, located just north of Beijing West Rd on XiKang Rd. it is a private clinic that does health examinations and outpatiet procedures. Clean place though some of their Doctors still stand in the back stairwell and smoke like a factory smokestack. Decent place, decent service. Went there for about a dozen appts. Would go again if for health cheecks, check ups stuff like that.

The Medical personal its having a big failure not only here but around the world... there's a basic idea.. the doctor must have a diagnosis with interogation and physical examination, HEAR THAT???!?! the exams are used to CONFIRM the first impression not to make diagnosis.... IF ur doctor doesnt touch u ... simply dont trust him....
chinese medicine its the same... they (we) have to look!!!
Now chinese culture have a problem... u cant touch people, not family or friends... so when this medical students go to the hospital to learn... they cant do it... they cant practice.. so the result its a person who listen to a story and prescribes...
I have many stories to tell, even mine with apendicitis... ufff
When u go to the physician if u cant speak chinese, bring someone to do the translation , dont ask many questions, but push them to do what you need if you know.... exams, medication, so on...
If you have the chance to pay to get a foreign doctor, then ask all the questions, and just enjoy the ride...
If you go to the foreign-expensive hospitals that charge a lot but its a chinese doctor, well u can ask all the questions u want but make sure the chinese its qualified and that he or she examines you.. as i told u before its a good sign, the ones that seldom look at you... just run!!!!

There is this new GP family medical centre, from Singapore, which has been operating for the last year in Gubei, Changning.

Think it's called the Healthway Family Medical Centre, not far from carrefour Gubei, at 388 Hong Bao Shi Road (红宝石路388号,一楼, 古北，长宁区), 1st floor, Gubei, Changning District. China branch of the established Healthway Medical Group in Singapore.

Good personal and caring service, nice environment and friendly doctors, Australian-trained, Singapore-trained english-speaking drs from Singapore or mandarin speaking GPs also available.

Price very reasonable, they even have this new attractive offer package called the "Healthway Member Card", which offers 10 consultations for a year for only 1500rmb, which is even transferrable between 4 persons. (essentially means that it is only 150rmb per consultation). They have a range of insurance cards which they accept too.

Another healthcare option available in Shanghai. Think their contact numbers are (51551858 ext 8117 / 13761812971 ), if anyone needs.

What is the difference between a private clinic (like GuoBin Hospital) and the others? My insurance will only cover "registered" hospitals...so does a place like GuoBin qualify? Thanks.

^ Your insurance company should have a handout list of all the participating (registered) hospitals. If they don't, call your insurance office for verification.

My insurance is from HK so they just said go to a registered hospital. They dont have a list. Please help