The number for the medical on-call service 116117 is currently heavily frequented (symbol image) Photo: picture alliance/dpa
From BZ/dpa
The wave of colds in Berlin is currently leading to long waiting times for the medical on-call number 116 117. A few days ago, callers would have had to wait around 26 minutes for advice on average.
This was announced by the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KV) Berlin on Friday. This is 15 minutes more than the annual average. Of the approximately 1,000 callers, one in four would have contacted the on-call service because of a flu infection.
The two consulting doctors spoke on the phone with an average of 18 people per hour – the on-call service was at its limit on such days, said Burkhard Ruppert, CEO of KV Berlin, according to the announcement.
“Not only the practices and hospitals are currently massively busy due to the current wave of colds. The emergency care provided by KV Berlin is also reaching its limits.”
Ruppert called on the federal government to provide more funding for outpatient emergency care. From January, due to the financial situation, only one consulting doctor will be used during the week – instead of two per shift as before. “The waiting times at 116 117 will increase and even more patients will contact 112 or go to the emergency rooms,” criticized the CEO.
People can call the number 116 117 outside of office hours. The doctors on the phone help with diseases that patients would otherwise go to the practice with and whose treatment cannot wait until the next day. The number is not suitable for life-threatening emergencies.