Phoning 112

edann42 · Post by **edann42** » Sat 27 Feb 2010 12:37

I was under the impression that if you 'phoned 112 with a medical problem, you would be talking to an English speaking person!

Dialed 112 this morning and no one spoke English???????

Anyone else experienced this? Is it worth complaining to someone about it and if so who????

In a life or death situation and not speaking 'Medical French', what does one do????

Post by **Kate** » Sat 27 Feb 2010 14:03

http://www.anglophone-direct.com/Who-to ... -emergency?
Before I wrote this short article, I visited the police and fire stations in Le Boulou. Both told me that 112 was international, and they should be able to put you through to an engllish speaker.
Hope all is well

polremy · Post by **polremy** » Sat 27 Feb 2010 17:27

You got me worried now, Edann.
Are you both ok?

Post by **Kate** » Sat 27 Feb 2010 18:25

Ed? Answer us please - we're all getting worried!

edann42 · Post by **edann42** » Sat 27 Feb 2010 19:55

I'm fine, but Anneliese has problems! We got a Doctor by 'phoning 15. He came round within the hour. Waiting for him to come back this evening!
Thank you all for your concern!!
I'll soon yell if I need help

starman · Post by **starman** » Sun 28 Feb 2010 17:23

We had the same problem when my baby grandaughter was here on holiday nobody spoke English and finally after a hour a local doctor came from the next village .

Marguerite & Steve · Post by **Marguerite & Steve** » Sun 28 Feb 2010 18:32

Hi Ed...Hope all is ok.

edann42 · Post by **edann42** » Sun 28 Feb 2010 20:36

All's now well! Thank you all! But what a crap 112 service!!!!!

Post by **Kate** » Sun 28 Feb 2010 21:05

Not that I am expecting a reply, but have sent them a mail to say that I understood that this was supposed to be an international line with English speakers etc available. Will post here if they reply but won't hold my breath.

Will also give them a ring later in the week.
Glad all is well Edann - you had us worried there!

Serge · Post by **Serge** » Sun 28 Feb 2010 22:46

edann42 wrote:All's now well! Thank you all!

That's good to hear Edann ...............

.. did you get them to sort your jokes out while they were there?

sue and paul · Post by **sue and paul** » Mon 01 Mar 2010 08:11

Pleased to hear the emergency is over. Take care

Robert Ferrieux · Post by **Robert Ferrieux** » Mon 01 Mar 2010 11:37

from Helen

Very glad Ed is ok.

I hate to say it but................we happen to be in France where the language is (dare I say it) French.
Oh go on, throw the brickbats.

thumbelina · Post by **thumbelina** » Mon 01 Mar 2010 11:52

I totally agree with you Helen. And had Ed been moaning that he'd dialled 15 and couldn't make himself understood, I would be saying the same as you. However, the 112 number is a European wide emergency number which is designed for you to be able to ring and speak in any European language - normally!

I have to say I have clearly been very lucky in that the two or three times I have needed to ring the number, I have always fallen on a very good English speaker.

john · Post by **john** » Mon 01 Mar 2010 14:31

I suppose it's a difficult one,this. My understanding is that 112 is a European emergency number. Not a specifically English one. So can we reasonably expect the call centre to have German,Dutch,Spanish,Italian,Portuguese etc speakers on hand as well as English ?

Still,good to know that Edann and his family are all OK now.

edann42 · Post by **edann42** » Mon 01 Mar 2010 17:31

Once again, thank you all!

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