Before you read this section, learn more about the French NHS...

• See a doctor

Doctors can be General Practitioners or Specialists (cardiologist, laryngologist...) and hold their consultations in their office, a hospital or a clinic. You can consult several doctors to get a diagnosis confirmed. The patient has the right to ask any question about the tests, the treatment and the risks involved in the illness. The doctor must give him/her the information. The patient can also refuse to undergo a test, or have an operation carried out by a particular surgeon.

As for general practitioners you can see any doctor (they also make house visits for a small supplement) for a cost of €21 but you will not be reimbursed by the Social Security if you are not part of the French Social Security system. Since 2005, you need to see a general practitioner before you visit a specialist or you will pay an additional cost. To find the nearest doctor, consult the online phone book at: http://www.pagesjaunes.fr/pj.cgi?lang=en (Enter "Doctor" for "Business Type" and the city: you'll get the list of all doctors in your area).

• The pharmacy

You can buy certain drugs over the counter in a pharmacy but a lot of them require a doctor's prescription. Don't be surprised if you do not find your national drug brand names, they vary from one country to another. In France, pharmacists have the right to give medical advice. Rather than go to the doctor when not seriously ill, many people prefer to consult the pharmacist for what medicine to take. They are generally very helpful. To find a pharmacy, just go down the street, you'll inevitably come across one.

• The hospital

You can be treated by any French hospital in case of emergency. Hospitals are public institutions (under State control) and are required to provide treatment for any person who needs it, either as an out-patient or inpatient, during the day, at night or as an emergency. There is a fixed cost ("tarif conventionné") for medical consultations, surgery or hospital fees. However certain specialist doctors charge higher fees for private consultations in hospitals. If you occupy a bed in a hospital or a clinic you pay a fixed daily hospital charge ("forfait journalier") of €15 in addition to treatment costs. There are also private hospitals, known as "Cliniques". Clinics are private. Some of them charge the standard fee ("tarif conventionné") and perform the same service as hospitals. Some operate outside the system: consultation fees, surgery and hospital fees are higher. What is better? The choice of hospital or clinic is entirely up to you. The type of treatment, the equipment or the doctor's fee are all factors that can influence your choice. However, for a very serious case, it is often wiser to go to a public hospital, especially a CHU (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire). To search for a hospital or a clinic, you can check the phone book (see above) or the directory published by the Ministry of Public Heath: http://finess.sante.gouv.fr/recherche.jsp (in French only). Good tip: You can also receive hospital treatment at home. This means that patients who need treatment can avoid going into hospital or reduce the length of time spent in the hospital.

• Other care providers

      - University Health Care Services (Services Inter-Universitaires de Médecine Préventive et de Promotion de la Santé). When you register in a French university you get automatic access to these services, which can vary from one university to another but generally include free consultations with a doctor or a psychologist. Information about these services may be obtained from your university.       - Medical Centres (Dispensaires) In a medical centre you can see a doctor or a dentist and get treatment from a nurse. They do not exist everywhere. They are open to everyone. Fees are fixed ("conventionné"). They are often run by the local authorities. Ask for information at the town Hall.       - Special units for mothers and infants (PMI - protection maternelle et infantile) Some units offer care during pregnancy and all provide medical care for children from birth up to 6 years of age. Consultations are free of charge and take place in the unit or as home visits. Ask for information at the town Hall.       - Free AIDS testing centres (Les consultations de dépistage anonyme et gratuit - CDAG) In these centres, you can get a free and anonymous test for AIDS or for hepatitis. You can get the addresses of the centres by contacting the Office of Health and Social Services (DDASS) or the AIDS Helpline at 0 800 840 800 (24 hr. /24 hr.). See also the link below.

• Health insurance information officers

Health insurance information officers help patients to fill in claim forms when the patient is unable to do so. The help is provided at the patient's request at the hospital or in the patient's home. This service is free of charge but does not exist everywhere (it is mainly available in Paris). Contact the "Accueil à domicile" service of your Local Sickness Insurance Office CPAM for more information.

English-speaking health services.