No-one wants to get sick, and especially not sick enough to need a visit to A&E. But what if you find yourself feeling so poorly you know you can’t wait to see a GP? Or if you have an accident or a heart attack? Here in Türkiye, how does the system work and what do you need to know?

In Türkiye there are several routes to medical treatment. The state healthcare system includes local health centres where registered patients can usually see their family doctor within a couple of hours.

Family doctors diagnose everyday illnesses, order basic blood and urine tests, arrange routine health screenings, and refer patients to specialists such as cardiologists or dermatologists. Larger health centres may also offer services such as dietetics and other behavioural health support.

State hospitals provide a much wider range of specialist services, from dentistry and orthopaedics to gastroenterology, supported by radiology and laboratory departments. Not every hospital offers every specialty, so for some treatments you may need to travel from Didim to Aydın or İzmir.

State hospitals also have emergency departments, where patients can seek treatment for urgent conditions that cannot wait for a GP appointment.

Didim State Hospital was recently rebuilt and expanded and now offers a good range of specialists, modern facilities and updated equipment. Anyone can attend the hospital, whether or not they are registered with a doctor in Türkiye.

However, patients without state health insurance (GSS) will be charged according to a fee structure based on their residency status and the treatment they receive. Residents with a valid residence permit pay the same rates as Turkish citizens, while different fees apply to non-residents.

Alongside the state system, there is also private healthcare. Didim has a number of private polyclinics, specialist practices and dental clinics, as well as two private hospitals: Egemed and Universay (formerly Batı Hospital). Both hospitals offer a limited range of specialist services and have emergency departments.

Private providers charge for treatment, although some have agreements with SGK, Türkiye’s national social security institution. If you pay SGK contributions, certain treatments may be partially covered, with the hospital claiming the SGK contribution directly. Other providers operate on a private-pay basis or work with selected private insurers. We’ll be taking a closer look at health insurance in a future edition of Voices.

So what happens if you need emergency treatment?

The good news is that if you attend any emergency department in Türkiye, or arrive by ambulance, your initial emergency assessment and treatment will be provided free of charge, regardless of your nationality, insurance status or whether the hospital is state-run or private. At A&E, there is a certain amount of administration involved, so bring identification and, if possible, a companion.

At Didim State Hospital, patients first register at the admissions desk inside the emergency department by presenting a Turkish ID card, residence permit or passport. You will then receive a barcode form to take to triage. If the department is busy, you may also be given a queue number.

The triage doctor will assess your symptoms and may take basic observations such as temperature and blood pressure. Based on the urgency of your condition, you will be assigned to a green, yellow or red category and directed to one of the emergency doctors.

After a more detailed examination, the doctor may prescribe medication and discharge you immediately, or send you for further investigation. This could involve blood or urine tests, IV treatment, X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans or other diagnostic procedures. Emergency test results are typically available within a few hours.

One aspect that can surprise newcomers is that patients or their companions are generally expected to keep track of test results and return them to the diagnosing doctor once they are available.

Following review of the results, you may be discharged with a prescription, advised to book a specialist appointment, sent for additional treatment, or in serious cases admitted to intensive care.

Any treatment provided while you remain under the care of the emergency department is free of charge. However, once the emergency doctor discharges you, whether home or to another department, normal charging rules apply.

If you have SGK and continue treatment within the state system, your costs will usually be covered. Patients without SGK, or those receiving ongoing treatment at a private hospital, will generally need to pay directly and then seek reimbursement from their insurer if applicable.

There are advantages to both private and state emergency departments. The private hospitals in Didim are usually much less busy and provide dedicated assistance for non-Turkish speakers. Having someone guide you through admission, testing and discharge can make the experience much less stressful.

On the other hand, Didim State Hospital is better equipped to handle serious emergencies and offers access to a wider range of specialist departments. In some cases, patients who initially attend Egemed or Universay may be transferred there if their condition requires more advanced treatment.

So what’s the takeaway? Whether you attend a state or private emergency department, you are entitled to emergency assessment and treatment. Waiting times are generally much shorter than many people are accustomed to in the UK.

Private hospitals often provide more support with language and administration, while the state hospital offers broader medical capabilities and specialist services. Emergency care remains free until you are discharged from A&E, but ongoing treatment may incur charges depending on your insurance status.

One final point catches many people by surprise. If you are admitted to a ward in a Turkish hospital, nurses are responsible for medical care only, particularly in the state system. Assistance with personal care such as help getting to the bathroom, washing, dressing or similar day-to-day needs is usually provided by a relative or companion known as a refakatçi. If you do not have someone available to fulfil this role, you may need to arrange and pay for a caregiver.

Thanks to our contacts at Didim SGK, Didim State Hospital, Egemed Didim and Universay Didim for their assistance with this article.