Just received an e-mail from a cousin in Madrid: His aged mother fell down and broke her hip. He tels horror stories about la Paz hospital and the rehabilitation place they took her. Most of the Medicos y Enfermeras are on vacation - even the Ambulance driver who took her to Guadalix (wrong place) was a substitute. At la Paz a Medico (his first day on the job) arrived almost to the sound of ruffles and flourishes.

So, if you are planning a vacation to Madrid next August, be careful (or vacation with an EMT).