EMERGENCY CALLS FOR HEALTH MATTERS

Following the Commission's recent decision to concentrate resources on its core activities, it has been decided to close the medical out-station in the Science 15 building from 1 May 2001 and to restrict the assistance provided by the Medical Service in the event of an emergency.

Doctors and nurses from the Medical Service will remain available to staff in the dispensaries in the BRE2 and Beaulieu billings, but will no longer travel to buildings and offices in response to emergency calls concerning an acute health problem. As in the past, such calls should be made only to the Commission's internal emergency number (SOS), which, in Brussels, is 52222.

Whenever the state of the person who has fallen ill or been injured at work does not appear to allow movement to one of the two dispensaries of the Medical Service without risk of aggravating the condition, an ambulance from the Brussels city assistance service will be sent. (However, if the person's state of health appears clearly to be serious, a telephone call should first be made to 100, to avoid any waste of time).

If there is the slightest doubt whether the person can be moved, having an ambulance sent should always be the preferred option.

In other circumstances (e.g. minor injuries) and if there is no sign that the condition is immediately serious: if the person is unable to reach the Medical Service without assistance, transport to one of the two dispensaries may be provided by a car from the Health and Safety at work unit. In this case the decision whether to provide such transport will be made by the person receiving the call on 52222.