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- Ελληνικά
With the aim of upgrading and strengthening the services offered by the General Health System (GHS), it is reminded that the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) has launched the Personal Doctor's Chaplaincy Services from July 2022.
This is a particularly important institution, which ensures access to care services by Personal Physicians (PIs), adults and children (Pediatricians), in a primary care setting for cases of emergency health problems, during weekends and public holidays.
How and when they operate
Personal Physicians' Chaplaincy Services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries of the General Health Insurance Scheme, in designated hospitals (PI Chaplaincy Centres), in all provinces of Cyprus. They are staffed by adult and paediatric PIs, as well as nursing and support staff.
The opening hours of the Chaplaincy Services on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays are from 11.00 to 17.00[/B]
[/P]The steps to visit the Services
The Chaplaincy Services operate by scheduled appointments only. Therefore, the beneficiary must call the contact number of the desired Chaplaincy Service Center and report the emergency health problem that has arisen.
During the telephone call, the beneficiary gives details of the symptoms he or she is experiencing so that the Centre's officers can assess the health issue. If it is indeed deemed necessary, then an appointment will be arranged within the day and opening hours of the Chaplaincy Services.
The PI on call can provide the beneficiary with full PI services, i.e. examination, diagnosis, administration of treatment, referral to a Specialist or an inpatient care unit. For better and more efficient service to the public, the on-call PI is also able to access the beneficiary's medical history through the GIS Information System.
When to contact Chaplaincy Services
As stated above, the on-call PI Chaplaincy Services do not operate as Emergency Departments. GHC beneficiaries can only go to the Chaplaincy Services for emergency health problems, i.e. if they experience an acute onset of worrying symptoms, sudden and severe pain, a worsening of symptoms of a serious chronic illness or a high fever accompanied by other symptoms.
It is also recalled that the Chaplaincy Services do not serve beneficiaries for issuing repeat prescriptions or issuing referrals for other GHS services. In addition, blood tests, X-ray diagnostic examinations, wound changes or wound suturing are not performed at the Chaplaincy Services.
It is important for beneficiaries to be aware that for serious life-threatening incidents, such as heart attacks or strokes, they should immediately call 112 for an ambulance or go to the nearest Accident and Emergency Department (AED).
Chaplaincy Service Centres
The Health Insurance Agency has designated Chaplaincy Service Centres in all provinces. The call centre starts operating 30 minutes before the opening of the Chaplaincy Services.
The Centres where Chaplaincy Services for adults and children are provided and their respective contact details are shown in the table below:
|
PERSONAL MEDICAL SERVICE CENTRE |
[TR] [TD]
COUNTY
[/TD] [TD]
CHAPPING CENTRE
[/TD] [TD]ADDRESS PRESS CENTER
[/TD] [/TD] [TD]
PHONE
[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Famagusta
[/TD] [TD]Leto Polyclinic
[/TD] [TD]Sotiras Avenue 8, 5286
[/TD] [/TD] [TD]23 849000
[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Larnaca
[/TD] [TD]Larnaca General Hospital (PIC for Children only)
[/TD] [TD]United States, 6301
[/TD] [TD]24 206132
24 800438
[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Larnaca
[/TD] [TD]Agia Marina Medical Centre
[/TD] [TD]Pavlou Valdaserides 10, 6018
[/TD] [/TD] [TD]24 636343
[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Limassol
[/TD] [TD]Limassol General Hospital (Children only)
[/TD] [TD]Nikaia 1, 4131
[/TD] [TD]
25 202816
[/TD] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Limassol
[/TD] [TD]Mediterranean Hospital
[/TD] [TD]Stygos 9, 3117
[/TD] [TD]26 200194
[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Nicosia
[/TD] [TD]Hippocrates Hospital
[/TD] [TD]Psaron 6-12, 2408
[/TD] [TD]22 502019
[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Paphos
[/TD] [TD]Evangelismos Private Hospital
[/TD] [TD]Vasileos Konstantinou 82, 8021
[/TD] [/TD] [TD]26 848113
[/TD] [/TR]
For more information, visit website of GESY, as well as the official social media accounts of OAI.
(NZ)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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