To improve the accessibility of medical aid and medical consultations in a period of rapid spread of viruses, the decision was made to extend working hours of physicians on shift, as reported by the National Health Service (NVD).
Many general practitioners provide their patients with consultations outside their normal working hours and on weekends. This is why residents are asked to follow information as it updates – about available general practitioners and other doctors – at NVD website www.vmnvd.lv section Kur saņemt medicīnisko palīdzību? [Where to receive medical aid?] or at NVD social media accounts Twitter and Facebook.
On week days residents can contact NVD free hot-line 8000 1234 (08:30-17:00 Monday-Thursday, 08:30-15:00 Friday).
This will also serve as assistance for doctors working for the Emergency Medical Service, who are currently working in emergency regime. The service receives a large number of calls about simple infections rather than life-threatening injuries and such. NVD previously used similar tactics in the past, this includes during flu epidemics.
This January doctors’ shifts will be two hours longer than normal.
Doctors on shift provide the same assistance as general practitioners – including writing prescriptions, opening and closing sick leave certificates. Each case is viewed individually.
Nearly 250 general practitioners agreed to extend their work hours for January.
Currently most doctors provide aid outside their normal hours in Riga.
Nevertheless, NVD is in talks with regional doctors in order to expand accessibility of medical assistance in case of emergencies.
Residents can receive simple medical advice in the event of simple illnesses or chronic diseases by calling the General Practitioners’ number for consultancies 66016001. Specialists provide consultations on weekdays 17:00-08:00. On weekends and holidays consultations are provided day and night.
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