DOCTORS & DENTISTS I.K.A. (Greek NHS) doctors may be found in larger towns, possibly only in Argostoli. Surgery hours are normally 08:00 - 13:00, Monday - Friday, although they may not be present every day as they may to have to cover several surgeries. In the larger tourist resorts there's likely to be private practices and these are likely to be open much of the day and maybe Saturdays (during the tourist season). Either way, expect to pay for your consultations and prescriptions.

The European Health Insurance Card (E111 replacement) covers treatment for major injuries / illness but is no substitute for adequate travel insurance (and doesn't cover, e.g. repatriation). Private doctors can usually accept payment by credit/debit card and may be able to liaise directly with your travel insurance company, if needs be. If you have to pay and then reclaim, be sure to keep receipts for all your expenses, including prescriptions and taxi fares, etc. I.K.A. doctors usually have no facility to accept credit cards or medical insurance so will need to be paid in cash, getting a receipt may be a problem. In the event of minor ailments and injuries it's often worth visiting the pharmacy before seeing the doctor as pharmacists are able to dispense a wider variety of medicines than in the U.K. On Kefalonia you should be able to consult a (private) doctor in: Argostoli, Lixouri, Skala, Poros, Sami and, possibly, Agia Efimia and Fiskardo. Pharmacies can be found in Argostoli, Lixouri, Poros, Skala, Sami and Vlakhata (near Lourdas). The Greek word for doctor, ΙΑΤΡΟΣ (pronounced 'yatros'), and a red cross, will normally be displayed outside the surgery / medical centre. In the event of serious illness / accident, or when the doctor / medical centre is closed, there is an I.K.A. ('N.H.S.') hospital in Argostoli which has a 24 hour, 7 day, emergency department where you will be treated for a very small fee (three - five euros). In serious cases they may require your medical insurance details or European Health Insurance Card (this can usually be sorted out later). Although there are a couple of ambulances on the island they will usually only respond to call outs from a doctor or the police and it's often easier and quicker to make your own way to the hospital, e.g. by taxi. Emergency dental treatment can be obtained during the morning at the hospital in Argostoli or at private dental practices (e.g. in Argostoli or Poros), normally during the hours of 08:00 - 14:00, Monday - Friday. Some dentists are open evenings and may be able to make a special appointment in the event of severe pain. Brexit note: in the event of Brexit any European Health Insurance Card issued to UK citizens is likely to be invalid. Ensure you have adequate health travel insurance. More information at www.nhs.uk Healthcare in Greece

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