Emergency service in Suhl: How to find help with acute complaints!

Emergency service in Suhl: How to find help with acute complaints!

What is happening in healthcare in Cologne? Today, June 30, 2025, many people are asking themselves how they can seek medical help, especially when it comes to non-acute symptoms. The on-call service is an important contact point here. The telephone number 116117 is available to provide support if the family doctor is not available.

Kristina S., a dedicated family doctor, emphasizes that many patients don't know exactly where to turn if, for example, they suffer from a temporary, annoying runny nose or headache. Instead of using 116117 for medical on-call service, many mistakenly call the emergency number 112 or go to the emergency room, as Peter M., an employee of the hospital emergency service, confirms. This situation often leads to an overload of the emergency room, where emergency treatment takes priority.

The role of the on-call services

The on-call practices are a valuable resource in Cologne. Peter M. explains that there are several such practices in the city that are open when other doctor's practices are closed. “I would like people to take advantage of these opportunities to reduce the burden on emergency rooms,” he says. Precisely because many people often cannot assess whether their symptoms really represent an emergency, telephone advice via 116117 is even more important.

Markus F. is a patient who recently discovered the number and had positive experiences. The telephone advice to rest and go to his family doctor on Monday showed him how useful the service is. This means that many uncertainties can be clarified directly over the phone, meaning that patients are better informed and targeted help can be provided.

Outpatient treatments in focus

But what are the options for outpatient treatment in Germany? A look at general practices shows that most people first go to their family doctor or pediatrician. A decision will then be made as to whether a referral to a specialist is necessary. Statutory health insurance companies are considered contractual partners and ensure that insured people are treated, even if they are privately insured. For patients with private insurance, however, things are a little different: they often pay in advance and submit the costs for reimbursement later.

An important topic that is repeatedly addressed is the electronic patient record. This helps to securely store important medical documents and make them transparently accessible. In addition, a lot of information can be viewed directly via the website gesundheitsinformation.de, which makes paper work in everyday practice much easier.

The medical on-call service is and remains a central element of healthcare, especially when it comes to making the right decisions in acute but not life-threatening cases. The message is clear: use 116117 and get advice before you go to the emergency room.

For more information about the current on-call service in Cologne and requirements for outpatient treatment, please visit the pages news.de and 116117.de is available.