New service

Doctor visits patients in “children’s car”

Dr. Peter Haubenberger is treating more and more young patients. The car is ready for this(Bild: Martin Jöchl)

The Vienna Medical Radio Service has now put a vehicle specially equipped for children into operation. This is because there are more and more calls for young patients.

The medical radio service is the on-call service of the Medical Chamber, the City of Vienna and ÖGK at night and at weekends. The doctors are currently in constant use, as the number of inquiries is exploding. The phone rings up to 2900 times at the weekend. The doctors actually have to go out on rounds around 1000 times.

Dr. Peter Haubenberger: "More and more often, the patients are children. Previously, many had to go to hospital for further tests with their parents or even siblings after initial treatment." A burden for the clinics and for the families.

(Bild: Martin Jöchl)

This is why the medical radio service has now equipped its own car with a specific range of medicines and medical products for the treatment of children. Many things can now be treated locally within the patient's own four walls. Medical Association Vice President Naghme Kamaleyan-Schmied: "We would like to expand the service, but this requires a clear commitment."

(Bild: Martin Jöchl)

The medical radio service currently has 3 to 4 doctors on the phone for telemedical consultations. And in the evening from 7 p.m., 8 emergency vehicles are on the road for home visits. From 2 a.m. to 7 a.m., three emergency vehicles are on the road. At weekends and on public holidays, there are currently 10 emergency teams on the road.