New Helpline to Be Launched in Slovakia to Ease Burden on 155 Emergency Line

Bratislava, March 12 (TASR) - A new helpline operated by the Emergency Medical Service Operations Centre (OS ZZS) should be introduced in Slovakia, serving for non-urgent situations in order to relieve the burden on the 155 emergency line, with the government approving a respective amendment to the emergency medical service law at its session on Wednesday. "The increasing number of calls to the 155 emergency line and the way in which the system is being overwhelmed with treatment that could wait are gradually making the emergency medical service less available. The amendment introduces several measures aimed at stabilising the emergency medical service system and ensuring that emergency health care is sustainable and available," explained the Health Ministry, which submitted the draft. When naming the reasons for the need to launch a new helpline, the ministry stated that 20 percent of health problems reported to the 155 emergency line are subsequently assessed as not requiring an ambulance. "The new line will serve to deal with less urgent health problems that do not require immediate action by the emergency service, such as health consultations, recommendations for appropriate health-care facilities, or organising planned transport between clinics," said the ministry. New kinds of rescue crews should also be created, and this will be linked to new indication criteria for filtering calls. The cabinet suggested that Parliament should deal with the legislation via a fast-track procedure. It is proposed that the amendment should take effect as of April 15. ko/df