Shanghai

Ambulance response times are typically slow, so expats might want to take a taxi or your own car to the hospital. Shanghai traffic does not yield to emergency vehicles and they may have trouble finding you. You can call for an ambulance by dialing 120. The operator will most likely not speak English, so it’s useful to learn a couple of Chinese phrases, such as where you live and the address of whichever hospital you want to go to. Ambulance workers are not required to know basic procedures, like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), so you might want to take a class yourself.

It is also advisable to make a card with the hospital’s address and contact information that you and your children can keep with you at all times. Shanghai United Family Hospital supplies cards that allow parents to give the hospital power of attorney. This can be important in avoiding delays if the child is brought to the hospital by someone other than their parent, and the parent is not available.

In case of a medical emergency, it is best to phone the International SOS, with their team of Western and Western-trained doctors, or one of the Western medical clinics like Parkway Health, for advice. If you contact SOS or one of the clinics, their staff may be able to accompany you. Once you are at a local hospital, the care is competent; expatriates report that their cases are diagnosed accurately and treated appropriately.

The U.S. and Australian Consulates also have nurses on staff, and they can assist in suggesting an appropriate course of action. The Public Security Bureau’s Division for Aliens can also help direct foreigners seeking emergency medical care.

Note: Shanghai United Family Hospital and Clinics (See contact number below), an established Beijing-based Western managed and staffed hospital, has a 24-hour full service Emergency Room staffed by expatriate physicians and ambulance service.