Hätäkutsut

Hätäkutsut are emergency services in Finland, equivalent to general practitioner out-of-hours services in other countries. They provide primary care for non-emergency medical conditions outside the regular opening hours of healthcare facilities.

Hätäkutsut services are available 24/7 and can be reached by phone. The national number is 116 117, but local numbers also exist, especially in rural areas where internet access may be limited. Patients can choose whether to visit the hätkutsut doctor in person or have a video consultation.

The services operate according to guidelines and instructions provided by the Finnish Medical Association and the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). They focus on treating general medical problems such as colds, coughs, and skin infections. The hätkutsut services do not treat emergency situations such as chest pain, strokes, or head injuries. In critical cases, vital signs are monitored and the patient may be referred to an emergency department at a hospital.

In contrast to emergency services, patients are usually not taken to a hospital unless necessary, with some regions having doctors who make house calls to people who cannot move due to their condition. Travelers can also use the service if they need medical care while abroad. For patients who need ongoing care, hätkutsut services offer referral to a local healthcare provider or private physician.