Services
Acute symptoms and medical emergencies
You have suddenly developed severe symptoms and are unsure whether to book an appointment, contact the practice or get help immediately. What matters is how urgently you need medical assessment. Online enquiries are not monitored continuously and are not a suitable route for an emergency.
The information is available to read directly. You can open frequently asked questions as needed.
When to call 112 immediately
Examples of emergency signs include severe breathlessness, unconsciousness, severe chest pain or a serious accident. Sudden neurological problems may also require immediate care.
Back pain accompanied by new paralysis, numbness in the saddle area between the legs or problems with bladder or bowel control carries a risk of permanent nerve damage. Please call 112 and describe the symptoms. Do not try to deal with this situation through a routine appointment or a digital message.
When it is urgent but not an emergency
For urgent but non-life-threatening symptoms during consulting hours, please seek an immediate assessment at your GP practice. Outside consulting hours, call 116117 if treatment cannot wait until the next regular consultation. The service will discuss which care is appropriate for your situation.
An emergency department is the right place when hospital care is urgently needed. If you are unsure and there are no obvious signs of an emergency, 116117 can help assess the situation. If there is immediate danger, call 112 directly.
Acute orthopaedic symptoms
A very swollen, hot joint with fever, an obvious deformity after an injury or a leg that can no longer bear weight after an accident needs prompt medical assessment. The same applies to significant deterioration after treatment.
For urgent but non-life-threatening symptoms during consulting hours, please seek an immediate assessment at your GP practice. For acute, non-life-threatening orthopaedic symptoms, you can select a suitable urgent appointment in our online booking calendar if one is offered and you are able to wait until then. When contacting us, describe what happened, when the change began and what you can no longer do. Selecting an appointment is not a medical assessment of urgency. If it is unclear whether you can wait, seek immediate advice from your GP practice during consulting hours or from 116117 outside consulting hours. For signs of an emergency, call 112 immediately, regardless of whether an appointment is displayed.
Understanding
A closer look
If there is an immediate threat to life or a risk of lasting harm to your health, please call 112 straight away. Do not wait for a reply from OrthoCoast in this situation.
Further information
The role of digital services
The online booking calendar and online reception make it easier to organise enquiries. The calendar may also offer a suitable urgent appointment. Neither route replaces emergency care. An automatically sent acknowledgement of receipt does not mean that your symptoms have already been assessed by a doctor.
Medical urgency is considered independently of who pays for a service. A self-funded service does not replace the appropriate route for a medical emergency.
What to expect and next steps
How to contact the practice when it is available
If you would like to discuss an appointment or an administrative question, use the contact details published under “Contact and directions”. For urgent but non-life-threatening symptoms during consulting hours, please seek an immediate assessment at your GP practice. Whether an examination at our practice is possible and appropriate is assessed according to your needs and the care available.
This page cannot promise immediate treatment or a particular appointment. If your condition gets significantly worse, do not wait for a reply to an enquiry you have already sent. Use the medical help appropriate to your situation at that point.
After an injection or another treatment
Please follow your individual aftercare instructions. New neurological problems, such as weakness or loss of sensation, require immediate help. Increasing severe pain, marked swelling or fever after a procedure calls for prompt medical assessment.
Tell the service treating you which procedure was performed, when it took place and which medicines were used, if applicable. Having a follow-up appointment booked is not a reason to wait until then if concerning changes develop.
Frequently asked questions
Can I report an emergency through online reception?
If there are signs of an emergency, call 112 immediately. For urgent but non-life-threatening symptoms during consulting hours, please seek an immediate assessment at your GP practice. Outside consulting hours, call 116117 if treatment cannot wait. Do not wait for a digital reply in these situations.
I have received an automatic email. Can I wait for a reply?
An acknowledgement of receipt is not a medical assessment. If you have acute warning signs or your condition gets significantly worse, seek medical help immediately.
Do I need private insurance to call 116117?
No. The out-of-hours medical service is available to people with German statutory or private health insurance.
Your next step
