As well as the more common tests carried out in the hospitals – X-ray; Cardio; Blood etc. - there are a wide range of private clinics in the town, catering for most types of examinations and tests. However, you may need to travel to Portimão, or even Faro, for the more specialist examinations, e.g. MRI scans. The NHS or private doctor will refer you to the specialist clinic as necessary – and the Portuguese NHS is happy to use private clinics, if they need a specific service.
Interestingly, the results of all tests, including those from the state hospitals and laboratories, are your own property - you take them away and bring them back for any follow-up visit.
All Portuguese NHS units make small charges for all treatments, tests and drugs etc. - and these apply to locals as well as to visitors. This is about €2 to €5 for each item - eg seeing a doctor; x-ray; blood test; etc. Recent experience has shown that for real emergencies, the charges have been waived on production of EHIC.
Prescribed drugs will be issued at a discount on production of your EHIC card – just make sure your prescription has been stamped by the issuing doctor, surgery or hospital, before trying to collect it from the pharmacy.