The SarinaMed Group Practice successfully operated the pop-up general practitioner emergency service during the 2024/25 winter season. Thanks to financial support from the municipalities in the Obersimmental-Saanenland district and the canton, the continuation of the service is now secured.

According to a press release from SarinaMed, the pop-up GP emergency service project spanned 29 service days between 22 December 2024, and 1 April 2025, with approximately 360 consultations in total. On busy weekends, two practices were available – one in the Saanenland and one in the Obersimmental. The press release states that “the project made a significant contribution to primary healthcare during this period.”

The project goal
The project aims to ease the burden on local medical practices and the emergency department at Zweisimmen Hospital. To this end, weekend GP services are partially staffed by external physicians and medical practice assistants (MPAs). These services take place at the SarinaMed Group Practice in Saanen. Local doctors still provide weekend services at their own practices but are no longer required to cover the entire year.

Organisation and participants
The SarinaMed Group Practice is responsible for organising the project. The municipalities and the canton

finance the pop-up GP emergency service, with a portion of medical service fees returned to the project fund. Additional support is provided by Spital STS AG, the Medical District Association of Thun and its surroundings, and the Gstaad International Health Group.

Looking ahead
“Fortunately, all municipalities have once again voted in favour of implementing the project,” the release notes. The first services as part of the summer pop-up GP emergency service took place on the first weekend of July. The summer pop-up will run until 28 September.

The project specifically supports the goals of integrated and communitybased healthcare. “Experience and feedback indicate that this cantonsupported and regionally coordinated additional offering can continue to be a meaningful part of medical care,” said the SarinaMed spokesperson.

Emergency coordination
Emergency calls are generally handled by the GP emergency hotline MEDPHONE, which offers initial medical consultation and directs cases to the appropriate practice. This service is subject to a fee.
Local newspapers in the district publish the on-call practices. In all cases, advance registration by phone is required.

MEDPHONE:
0900 57 67 47 (CHF 3.23/min)

MEDPHONE prepaid:
0900 57 67 48 (CHF 3.50/min)

www.sarinamed.ch/en

Read more about the general healthcare situation on gstaadlife.com

JEANETTE WICHMANN