Anyone who suddenly becomes ill at Christmas will quickly face a problem. Many practices are closed over the holidays. What options patients still have.
If you catch a bad cold during the holidays, it’s not only annoying, but also inconvenient: many doctor’s offices are staffed on a reduced schedule or are closed completely. The question arises as to where you can get a sick note or a prescription for certain medications. We’ll show you what options you have.
Listen to the family doctor’s answering machine
If you go to your family doctor’s website or listen to the answering machine, you may find information about a replacement for the holidays and the time between the years. If in doubt, you can go there first.
Contact emergency medical services and on-call practices
If the representative is not available, you still have a few options. Many cities and regions have emergency medical services and on-call practices that are also open on weekends and public holidays.
Important: This offer should not be confused with the emergency doctor who is sent by the emergency services after a call to 112. The emergency or on-call practices are contact points for the usual medical care that cannot be provided by your own family doctor’s office on public holidays such as Christmas or New Year.
According to the statutory health insurance physicians, the on-call service is intended for patients who cannot wait until the doctor’s office opens regularly due to acute symptoms. Typical cases: severe colds, flu-like infections with fever and pain, infections of the throat, nose and ears with severe pain, gastrointestinal infections with vomiting diarrhea, acute abdominal pain or urinary tract infections, migraines as well as acute back or abdominal pain and lumbago.
Important: Emergency call and emergency room only for emergency situations
The emergency room and the emergency number 112 are intended for life-threatening situations. The following symptoms, among others, indicate an emergency:
- Unconsciousness or significant clouding of consciousness
- severe shortness of breath
- severe chest pain or heart problems
- heavy bleeding that cannot be stopped
- severe burns
- Electrical accidents
- Suicide attempts
- acute and persistent severe pain conditions
- acute and prolonged seizures
Sick at Christmas: contact via 116 117
If you are sick on the holidays, the first contact should be via the free patient service 116 117. The places are occupied around the clock and the capacities will be increased over the holidays, according to the statutory health insurance physicians. An initial medical assessment is carried out over the phone and a referral is made to the nearest emergency service. There, doctors are available on an outpatient standby basis for so-called minor illnesses. Patients can also find the necessary addresses on the Internet.
Anyone who dials 116 117 or accesses the so-called patient navigation system on the Internet at www.116117.de has to answer around 20 questions about the symptoms. Then an initial assessment is carried out. At the end there is a recommendation regarding the urgency of treatment and the correct treatment location.
Video consultation hours as an alternative on public holidays
As a supplement to the emergency services practices, the statutory health insurance physicians also offer video consultations or home visits for patients who are not mobile. During digital contact, symptoms can be discussed and initial treatment measures can be discussed. It is also possible to issue a digital prescription. This way, visits to the practice can be avoided. For a video consultation in the “virtual waiting room”, the symptoms must be correct. Patients receive an access link via SMS or email.
However, a personal visit to the doctor is essential for certain complaints, for example if you need a physical examination or a blood test. In these cases, you shouldn’t be afraid to go to the practice – even if it’s the holidays.
You can also call 116 117 to find out about specialist emergency services from ophthalmologists, ear-nose-throat specialists or pediatricians.
Sick at Christmas: What else you should consider
Plan ahead: If you have a chronic illness or require regular medication, make sure you have enough supplies before the holidays. A small medicine cabinet with painkillers, fever reducers and cold medicines can also be helpful.
Emergency pharmacies: Pharmacies also have emergency services over the holidays. You can find out which pharmacy is open near you by calling 22833 (free from German landlines) or online.
Rest and recovery: Regardless of how you go to the practice, you should give your body enough rest. Especially when you have a cold or flu-like infection, it is important to drink a lot, get enough sleep and take it easy.
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