[Cyprus Times] On-call clinics open from Saturday! How they will work

The operation of on-call doctors' offices has been announced All information

This Saturday the institution of on-call services of personal doctors in the GESY during the weekend and public holidays starts.

At a press conference held today, Health Minister Michael Hadjipandela, the Director General of the OAS and the Director General of the OCYP spoke about the institution giving more information on how it will work.

During his remarks Mr. Hadjipandela pointed out to the citizens that it is something new and they should be given time to operate and noted that if problems arise they will be corrected.

Mr. Hadjipandela said that he has already contacted all the personal physicians and they expressed their intention to work hard to serve the patients. He said he will do the same with the paediatricians.

How they will operate

The on-call clinics will operate on Saturdays for eight hours (09:00-17:00) and four on Sundays and public holidays (15:00-19:00).

As for the facilities that will be used as on-call services in each province for adults, they are the following:

Nicosia: Latsion Health Centre

Limassol: Linopetra Health Centre

Larnaca: Health Centre at the old Larnaca Hospital

Famagusta: Famagusta Health Centre

Paphos: Paphos General Hospital

The infrastructure to be used as on-call in each province for children is as follows:

Nicosia: Latsia Health Centre

Limassol: Paediatric Clinic Limassol General Hospital

Larnaca: Paediatric Clinic Larnaca General Hospital

Famagusta: Paediatric Clinic Famagusta General Hospital

Paphos: Paediatric Clinic Paphos General Hospital

In Nicosia and Limassol there will be two doctors and in the other provinces one doctor each. There will be a paediatrician on each shift.

What are PI on-call services What are the reasons for a visit

Personal physician on-call services are provided to adults and children who are beneficiaries of the General Health Service. They involve the provision of health care by adult and paediatric PIs in a primary care setting and relate to emergency health problems arising at weekends and holidays.

Beneficiaries can refer to on-call services when they have any of the following:

• acute onset of alarming symptoms
• sudden and severe pain
• worsening symptoms of a serious chronic illness
• high fever accompanied by other symptoms

Beneficiaries should not contact PI on-call services in the following cases:

• for pre-existing medical conditions
• for issuing repeat prescriptions
• for issuing referrals to other GHS services
• for cases where the beneficiary did not have time to visit his/her Personal Physician

It was emphasized that blood tests will not be performed at PI on-call services, X-ray diagnostic tests, wound changes or suturing.

By Appointment

The Health Minister clarified that these are not First Aid Departments and will be served by appointment.

Beneficiaries should contact the PI on-call services in their province by telephone during the opening hours of the on-call services. An assessment of the health problem will be made and if necessary, an appointment will be arranged within the day and hours of the on-call services. It is stressed that, for the proper service of beneficiaries, the services operate ONLY by scheduled appointments.

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