Good to know!

While children are in compulsory education in Valais, nurses and doctors carry out four early screening examinations (including an eye test, hearing test and preventive information). Parents are systematically informed about school medical services.

Good to know!

Dental treatment needed after an accident is covered by basic health insurance and accident insurance. You must ensure that the accident is reported in good time and that documents are kept as evidence for any subsequent treatment.

Good to know!

The distribution of many medicines available in Switzerland will be more strictly regulated from 2019. The drugs most affected are those that contain opiate derivatives such as codeine. These medicines will still be available in pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription, but a consultation will be required and their supply must be documented.

Good to know!

When dispensing prescription-only medicines, pharmacies can charge a consultation fee of CHF 4.30 per medicine (Medicine Check) and a flat processing fee of CHF 3.25 per sale (Processing Check). Not all pharmacies proceed the same way, and there are pharmacies that do not charge these additional fees. It’s worth asking!

Good to know!

If appropriate from a medical point of view, general practitioners may also recommend care at home, domestic help or a meal service. These services are provided by the Social Medical Centres (Sozialmedizinische Zentren SMZ).

Care

Exemplary medical care
The healthcare system in Switzerland is very well developed. All residents have comprehensive and compulsory accident and illness insurance. Numerous doctors’ surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals ensure patients are well provided for. The system is based around the general practitioner as the first port of call. Only in serious emergencies should you go directly to the hospital or call an ambulance.

Family doctors/paediatricians

In Switzerland, the relationship between doctors and patients is very important. The doctor knows your personal medical history and is the first point of contact for medical problems. If necessary, patients are referred to specialist doctors or to a hospital. In principle, it is advisable to find a general practitioner as soon as you arrive in Valais, as well as a paediatrician, if necessary. For newborns, you should try to find a doctor several months before the due date.
 

Directory: “Which general practitioners and paediatricians are admitting patients?"

 

Dentistry

Dental treatment usually has to be paid for by the patient. However, it is possible to take out supplementary insurance that covers dental treatment. Children who attend school are entitled to one free dental check-up per year. Information on this is issued by the school.
 

Directory: “Which dentists are admitting patients?”

 

Hospitals and emergency wards

If you need to be admitted to hospital, in most cases you will be registered by a doctor. However, in the event of a serious emergency, you should go directly to the accident and emergency ward. If the condition is life-threatening or the patient has to be picked up, an ambulance should be called on emergency number 144. In contrast to other countries, where emergency wards are the first point of contact for all kinds of health incidents or concerns, in Switzerland the general practitioner is responsible for less serious emergencies.

Hospital Valais / www.valaishospital.ch
Emergency Visp / www.valaishospital.ch

 

Complementary medicine

A wide range of alternative medical therapy methods are available in the canton of Valais. These include naturopathic, body therapy and relaxation practices and treatment methods such as homeopathy, osteopathy, kinesiology or traditional Chinese medicine. The costs can be covered by a supplementary insurance policy, depending on your insurance model and whether or not the therapist is recognised. It is worth asking for this information before treatment.

 

Pharmacies

In the case of a mild illness, it is best to seek advice from a pharmacy. Pharmacies sell prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Outside normal opening hours, there is usually one pharmacy per region that offers an emergency service. If you want to know which pharmacies offer an emergency service in the larger towns (Brig-Glis, Visp, Naters), call 0848 39 39 39. Outside the larger towns, the telephone number is 0900 558 143 (CHF 0.50 per call + CHF 1.00 per minute from a landline). The service can only be used for urgent prescriptions!

Prescription medicines: In Switzerland, medicines are divided into five distribution categories. Medicines on lists A & B are regarded as prescription-only products. Medicines on lists C & D are available over the counter in pharmacies, but require a doctor’s prescription to be delivered by mail. Category E comprises remedies that are available in shops without specialist advice, such as camomile tea.

Swissmedic / www.swissmedic.ch
Pharmasuisse / www.pharmasuisse.org

 

Home care

People who are ill or need home care can make use of the Spitex assistance and care at home service. Specialists visit the patients at home to care for them or help with household tasks. The offer is aimed at people who require support due to illness, accidents, old-age, complications during pregnancy or after giving birth. Some of the costs are covered by basic health insurance.

Spitex / www.smzo.ch