Emergency services kept busy

THE 061 emergency service centre answered a total of 141'144 calls from January to June.
There were 28'000 calls in June as the number of calls per month in Summer is above average due to the increase in the population because of the tourists, according to IB-Salut (the Balearic Health Service). Of all calls received during the first six months of the year, 77'000 were for health information, for example where to go for a fever, or the nearest health centre to the patient, 36'000 calls were for medical advice, the most frequent questions being about fever, sickness, correct medicine doses, anxiety, stomach pains, throat pains, fainting, lower back pain and diarrhoea. The rest of the calls, a total of 40'000, were for emergencies, and home visits.
In addition to the telephonists working in the 061 emergency call centre, there is always a shift of two doctors on duty 24 hours a day to resolve medical enquiries and to coordinate the service.