Health · Healthcare & Policy · 10 hrs ago
Sion hospital adds evening on-call service to ease emergency department pressure
Sion hospital in the Swiss canton of Valais has opened an on-call service to help ease pressure on its emergency department.
Since 1 September, 80 doctors from the area between Martigny and Sierre have covered the service every day from 6 pm to 10 pm.
The aim is to reduce evening waits by directing some patients to the nearby service, while serious emergencies can still receive prompt care.
In the emergency department, patients are prioritised according to how serious their condition is, so less urgent cases may have to wait.
A trial in Sion in 2024 had satisfactory results, and the new service appears to be easing pressure on emergency staff.
Doctors’ views are mixed: in a survey of the 80 doctors, 38 supported the service, 22 opposed it and 20 did not comment.
Some doctors say it was introduced quickly and adds to their workload; they can exchange the duty for alternative on-call work, but refusing it without an alternative may lead to sanctions.
Sion Hospital introduced an evening on-call service on 1 September to reduce pressure and waiting times in its emergency department.
Eighty doctors from the area between Martigny and Sierre provide the service seven days a week from 18:00 to 22:00.
The service operates in a newly opened space near the emergency department, allowing staff to coordinate care and quickly assist serious cases.
A 2024 pilot project in Sion had satisfactory results, and the new system appears to be easing the workload of emergency department staff.
Doctors are divided over the service: some support it, while others say it was introduced too quickly and adds to their workload.
- Who
- Sion Hospital and 80 doctors from between Martigny and Sierre are involved.
- What
- The hospital has introduced an evening on-call service to ease pressure on its emergency department.
- When
- Since 1 September, seven days a week from 18:00 to 22:00.
- Where
- Sion, in the Swiss canton of Valais.
- Why
- To reduce waiting times in the evening and relieve pressure on the emergency department.
Doctors who support the service
Doctors who oppose the service
Effect on emergency care
Doctors who support the service
The service can redirect patients and reduce waiting times.
Doctors who oppose the service
Some doctors say the system was introduced too quickly.
Work arrangements
Doctors who support the service
One doctor said the arrangement makes it easier to plan family life and know when work starts and ends.
Doctors who oppose the service
Doctors raised concerns about added duties, workload and arranging care for their children.
When you suddenly see people being redirected and getting seen more quickly, it is very satisfying for everyone.
On the family level, you have time to organise yourself, you can plan things in advance. You know when you start and when you finish. That was not always the case before.
From one day to the next, they send us appointments, and we have to organise ourselves. They are added to our other duties.
Sion ran a pilot project for the on-call service, with satisfactory results.
The service began, with 80 doctors covering seven days a week from 18:00 to 22:00.
The Nouvelliste reported dissatisfaction among doctors assigned to the service; a survey found 22 opposed, 38 in favour and 20 who did not express a view.
- Doctors providing the service
- 80
- Daily service hours
- 18:00–22:00
- Service schedule
- Seven days a week
- Survey results
- 22 opposed; 38 in favour; 20 did not express a view
- Pilot project
- Sion, 2024
Sources
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