TRENTO. On Monday 28 June, at 1.30 pm, the press conference will be held to present the new single number 116117 dedicated to non-urgent healthcare.
What is it
The telephone number 116117 is the single European number for access to non-urgent medical care and other low-intensity / priority care territorial health services. It is a communication tool aimed at all citizens without any prior registration obligation but cannot be called from a blocked mobile phone as it is not a health emergency number.
Operators answer in Italian and in English.
The number is fast dialing and does not require a prefix. Calls can be made from landline or mobile phone, it is not limited in time and it is free.
The organizational structure of the service in Italy may vary from region to region.
What is it for
The number guarantees all citizens within 24 hours the possibility of receiving, without interruption, answers to all calls for non-urgent medical care. It also acts as a link with the continuity assistance and emergency urgency service.
What services does it offer
The number provides the following services
- services that guarantee an operational response with call transfer
- non-urgent medical services and / or advice during the opening hours of the Continuity Care service
- identification and transfer of requests for urgent medical assistance to 118 (118 is the reference telephone number for all cases of medical assistance to people who are victims of illness or accidents of any kind. It is free and active 24 hours a day, it must only be called in cases where there may be a risk to someone’s life or safety)
- access modalities to General Practitioners / Pediatricians of Free Choice even in case of difficulty in finding them
- non-urgent health advice before the Continuity Care service opening time and after closing time with possible forwarding of the call to 118
- which guarantee an informative response; operational response with call transfer can also be provided
- how to access the Tourist Guard.
When to call
The service will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
What does the Ministry of Health do
The Ministry of Health coordinates and supports the regions in the activation.
The Regions may request, within a regional program, the activation of the 116117 service in compliance with the requirements defined in the State-Regions Agreement of 24 November 2016. Europe has established the number 116117 and has invited the Member States to adopt all the necessary initiatives for activation through two Decisions.