It is not only the dry clean air and the extremely high percentage of oxygen in the seawaters around Las Negras that have made me choose this small village as a place to live in.

Through the years, many of our guests have experienced that a stay in Las Negras is soothing for both body and mind. Many admitted that after a day or two a sense of tranquillity takes over. Most guests adjust to the "Las Negras tempo of living".

Naturally, there is more.

Due to the dry clean air, many guests with rheumatoid disorders, artrosis or osteoporosis find a stay in Las Negras very comforting. Within a few days, they experience less pain and more suppleness.

The combination of temperature, dry air and the relaxed atmosphere in Las Negras has an encouraging effect and many return.

Carlos, who lives in Las Negras as well will be of service if you are in need of a physiotherapy treatment or just a relaxing massage.

Doctor

There is a doctor in the village that gives consultation every day. Services are free of charge.

In Campohermoso, 5 km away from Las Negras there is a big and modern clinic with all medical facilities.

There are excellent doctors (médicos) throughout Andalusia, although finding a doctor who speaks good English can be a problem, particularly in rural areas. However, there's a wide choice of foreign and Spanish English speaking doctors and other medical practitioners here, including American, Scandinavian and, of course, British. For an up to date list of the latter, contact the British Consulate in Malaga.

Bear in mind that if you wish to see a doctor, who is contracted to Spain's public health service, you may have little choice of doctor and they will almost certainly all be Spanish. Many tourist offices also keep a list of English speaking doctors and SUR in English, which is available every Friday throughout the Costa del Sol, generally carries advertisements for some of the local English dentists and doctors as doctors are allowed to advertise their services in Spain. General practitioners or family doctors are listed in the Yellow Pages under 'Médicos' and specialists under their speciality.

The ratio of doctors to inhabitants is comparable with other western European countries and in most of the cities and resort, areas here there are more than enough doctors. Always try to choose a doctor who allocates you sufficient time and who will explain his diagnosis and recommended course of treatment. Note that if you do not speak Spanish, you may need a translator if you see a Spanish doctor.

If you take regular medication, are undergoing a course of treatment, or suffer from a long-term illness or disability, you should ask your present (overseas) doctor to provide a short statement about your case and have it translated into Spanish before arriving in Spain.

If you have private health insurance, you can choose to see any doctor at any time and are not required to register with a doctor or visit a doctor within a certain distance of your home. This also makes it easy to obtain a second opinion, should you wish to do so.

If you need the services of a medical auxiliary such as a nurse, physiotherapist or chiropodist, you must obtain a referral or prescription from a doctor. Health insurance companies also usually insist on a referral from a family doctor but if you have a free choice policy, you can select your own specialist or other practitioner. In Spain, specialists do not require patients to have a doctor's referral. Note, however, that a referral is necessary for public health patients and may be required under a private health insurance policy.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies (chemists) identified by a neon lit green cross will provide most medicines, including some, such as antibiotics, without a prescription. They will also give advice about ailments and suggest remedies (usually in Spanish except on the Costa del Sol and other tourist areas however).

Each town has a local duty chemist that is open 24 hours. This will be listed in the window of all pharmacies and in the local paper.

The emergency medical services are extremely good and in Andalusia, you can dial a special general number for the emergency services where there are multi lingual operators available. (Servicios de Urgencias).

You should try to give the age of the patient and type of emergency. Some useful words are heart attack (ataque cardiaco or infato), ambulance (ambulancia) and doctor (médico). If you are involved in a life-threatening situation, such as a serious car accident, you (or someone with you) should call for an ambulance. Either call the emergency ambulance number or the Red Cross (Cruz Roja) 952 443 545. There are also 24-hour state medical centres Pharmacies throughout the region with ambulances. In an emergency, a hospital must treat you, regardless of your ability to pay. If you are physically able, you can go yourself to a hospital emergency or casualty department (urgencia) or a 24-hour public health clinic.

The telephone numbers of first aid stations are listed at the front of telephone directories and many are equipped with ambulances. Check in advance which local hospitals are equipped to deal with emergencies and the quickest route from your home. This information may be of vital importance in the event of an emergency.

Most pharmacies post a list of local clinics and hospitals where emergency medical treatment is available.

If you are unable to visit your doctor's surgery, a doctor will visit you at home at any time of day or night. If you need a doctor or medicine in a non-urgent situation and are unable to contact a doctor, ring your local police station for help. Alternatively, for a fee you can call 098 to obtain the number of a pharmacy that is open near you. If you are unlucky enough for a member of your party to have an accident and are taken by ambulance to the Urgencias department of a hospital the admissions procedure is as follows.

The patient will be taken immediately through to the treatment rooms. The family is NOT allowed in. A member of the family should go to the adjacent office to register the patient, Giving name, nationality, passport number, and insurance if known. The family must then go to the waiting room and wait. When the doctors believe the patient can receive visitors the family will be called through. Listen out carefully for the calls for 'Famillia de John Smith'. It seems like a long wait but be patient in the chaos, the system works well. It is useful if a second family member is present. The patient may at this time remain in intensive care, be transferred to the wards, or be discharged.

There are both private and state run ambulance services for emergency and non-urgent needs.

Private ambulance services provide a 24-hour service in most towns and are listed by town under Ambulances in the Yellow Pages. Most clinics and private hospitals also operate their own ambulance services. Ambulances are equipped with emergency equipment such as oxygen and life-support systems and drivers and staff are trained to provide first-aid.

On the Costa del Sol, there is also an emergency private helicopter service (helicópteros sanitarios) for which you can subscribe annually for a small fee. Social security patients do not pay for ambulance services and private patients are reimbursed by their private health insurance (or travel insurance). By law, taxis are obligated to transport medical emergencies to hospital when requested to do so.