Am I an emergency patient?
Emergency situation
When a person's life is in danger, call the emergency number 112, and you will be given help and instructions. Life-threatening situations include the following, for example:
- Cardiac arrest or severe chest pain
- Unresponsive, i.e. unconscious person
- Person not breathing or having severe breathing difficulties
- Seizures
Urgent situation
In an urgent situation, call the emergency number 112. Symptoms requiring urgent assessment or treatment include the following, for example:
- Stroke symptoms, such as a limb suddenly going limp or difficulty speaking
- Sudden strong headache
- Severe stomach pain
- Sudden and significant worsening of the general condition
Non-urgent situation requiring a visit to the emergency care services
In a non-urgent situation, contact your local health care centre during daytime. Common illnesses and injuries requiring emergency care and that are treated at health centres include the following, for example:
- Sudden respiratory inflammations
- Back pain
- Sprains
- Ear infections in children
- Ear pain in adults
Long-term illnesses are always treated at the health centre. Prescriptions are also renewed by the health centre.
You can ask for an appointment directly from your local health care centre according to the instructions of your town or municipality.
Medical service helpline
If you are still unsure, call the Pirkanmaa medical service helpline. The help desk nurse will provide treatment instructions, evaluate your need for treatment and direct you to the correct place for treatment, when necessary.
Phone numbers
- Medical helpline 116 117, service 24/7 for all inhabitants in Pirkanmaa area. It's free of charge, but calls from foreign telephone number can be charged.
