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Lower Saxony is set to reform its medical on-call service nationwide, effective from 1st July. The central point of contact for non-emergency medical and psychological needs outside of normal practice hours will remain the number 116117.
This reform aims to modernize the on-call service for home visits on weekends and public holidays outside of practice hours. If a home visit is not necessary, a telemedical doctor's contact will be established instead. This shift towards telemedicine is intended to streamline the service and make it more efficient, especially in rural areas.
Dr. Ralf Klask, chairman of the Soltau Medical Association, supports this reform as crucial for medical care in rural areas. He believes it will improve accessibility and reduce the burden on doctors who are currently required to be on call practically around the clock.
The medical on-call service number 116117 is a service for non-emergency medical and psychological needs. It is important to note that for life-threatening emergencies, the number 112 should be called. Dental emergencies cannot be handled via the medical on-call service number 116117.
Under the reform, an artificial intelligence supports the initial assessment of the illness during the call. This technology is designed to help triage calls and ensure that patients are connected with the appropriate medical or psychological professional.
Appointments with doctors and psychotherapists can be made or initial contact persons sought via this number. If a home visit is necessary, a doctor will still visit a patient at home. However, video or telephone consultations are intended to replace home visits under the reform.
The organization responsible for the national coordination of this change and the management of the nationwide emergency number 116117 service is not explicitly named in the provided search results. However, the coordination of emergency medical services and emergency number services typically involves the regional dispatch centers and the Kassenärztlichen Vereinigungen (Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians).
The statutory health insurance on-call service aims to continue providing care outside of normal practice hours. It is a free of charge service that is reachable around the clock. The reform is a step towards improving medical care in Lower Saxony, making it more accessible and efficient for all.
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