Medical Care

Pharmacies sell prescription (as prescribed by a doctor) as well as over-the-counter medicine. It is advisable to consult a pharmacist as a first measure for minor illnesses. Pharmacists are well-trained and provide their customers with advice. An appointed pharmacy is always open 24 hours in order to provide medication in case of an emergency.
To find out which emergency pharmacy is open, call the following numbers:

Bern: 0900 98 99 00 (0.98 CHF/Min.)
Biel: 0842 24 24 24
Thun: 0900 36 36 36 (0.88 CHF/Min.)

Many people in Switzerland have a family doctor (Hausarzt | médecin de famille) who is aware of the patient's personal health history and who is the first contact when medical problems arise. For children there are pediatricians. If necessary a doctor will refer a patient to a specialist or to hospital. One should only go to hospital directy in case of a serious emergency. For other emergencies there is a central emergency number for Canton Bern. The number is 0900 576 747 (CHF 1.98/min) and is available 24 hours a day.

In general, dental care must be paid for by the patient. There is the option of getting additional insurance which covers dental care. Children in school have a right to one free dental check-up per year. Information will be provided by the school.

Persons who must go to hospital are, in most cases, signed in by a doctor. Serious emergencies are an exception and should be taken directly to the hospital's accident and emergency services. The emergency number 144 should be dialed in life-threatening situations or when the patient needs to be tranported. The family doctor is responsible in less serious cases.

Persons who are ill or who are in need of care and help at home can benefit from the home nursing service (Spitex | service de soins à domiciles externes). Trained staff visits patients at home and provides care as well as help with housework. The service is made available for persons who are in need of support following illness, accident, pregnancy, childbirth, or who are having difficulties related to ageing. Part of the costs are covered by basic health insurance (Grundversicherung | assurance de base). In addition to the Spitex Organization Canton Bern (Spitexverband | association Spitex) there are many private providers of home nursing.