On Saturdays, Sundays and at night (from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.) everyday, for emergencies it’s possible to contact “Guardia medica notturna” – free service all over Italy
What is the emergency number 118?
The 118 emergency number is the number of the Emergency health service, a public service (either directly or through the emergency 112 Number) throughout the national territory with the objective of ensuring 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, a response to emergency situations or health emergency by sending means of rescue (something like 911 in USA)
How do you call the 118?
From any phone, fixed or mobile, just dialling the number you will be put through the Operating Room. The call is free and can be done even by a credit-free phone device. The conversation is automatically recorded.
When you call the 118?
The 118 number must be called in all those situations where there may be risk to the life or safety of a person, such as, for example, in the following cases: • difficulty or absence of breath • loss of consciousness (the person does not respond) • chest pain • trauma and injury with evident bleeding • accidents (home, road, sports, agricultural, industrial) in the presence of wounded • presence of signs of suffocation, poisoning, drowning, burns • difficulty in speaking or difficulty/inability to use one or both of the legs on the same side.
When your family doctor or pediatrician is not on duty you can call “Servizio di Continuità Assistenziale”
The Service provides a medical assistance, also at home, or a telephone advise and can be called following these indications:
At night:
• from Monday to Sunday, from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
During the day:
• days before a holiday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• non working days, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Phone number is different in each town and can be found at your local ASL or doctor.
It can be called for immediate assistance when it is not required to call 118 (emergencies).