The RIGHT NUMBERS to CALL in an EMERGENCY or ILL HEALTH in PORTUGAL

As shared via Brits in Portugal - https://www.facebook.com/BritsInPortugalWhen to call INEM on 112 (European Emergency Number) and when to seek advice from the SNS24 line. Helpful info here courtesy of our friends at Safe Communities Portugal.LAUNCH OF “WHEN TO CALL SNS 24 OR INEM” CAMPAIGN The General Directorate of Health (DGS), Shared Services of the Ministry of Health (SPMS) and the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM) launch today the Campaign “When to call SNS 24 or INEM?” to raise awareness of the correct use of the lines “808 24 24 24” and “112” by citizens.The inappropriate use of these lines can delay critical responses in time and occupy resources in the wrong way. With the objective of providing an improvement in the quality of care and guaranteeing the access of users to the most competent body to provide the intended service at any given moment, the campaign compares non-emergent health problems and situations that may involve risk to life, thus clarifying when to use SNS 24 or INEM. In case of mild or moderate pain, fever, change in blood pressure, itching, persistent cough, persistent crying of the child, diarrhoea or nausea, or other non-emergency situations, the user should contact SNS 24 through the number 808 24 24 24 to receive the appropriate advice.When it comes to an accident with injured people, a suspected stroke, chest pain, choking, difficulty breathing, altered state of consciousness, severe burns or burns in sensitive areas, heavy or uncontrollable bleeding for example, the user should call 112 – European Emergency Number. In 2022, the SNS 24 Line answered more than nine million calls, the highest number ever.The Urgent Patients Guidance Centres (CODU) of INEM also received more than 1.5 million calls that year, the highest number since records began. Of these calls answered at the INEM CODU, more than 103,000 were transferred to the SNS 24, which represents an average of 280 calls per day that were considered non-urgent and an increase of 10% compared to 2021.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-good-morning-portugal-podcast-with-carl-munson--2903992/support.