Within 3 months of your arrival, you must take out health insurance. This mandatory procedure is important because medical services are expensive in Switzerland. With your insurance card, you can go to the doctor or the hospital and the medical costs will be covered in part by your health insurance. It is also possible to take out non-compulsory health insurance called “Complémentaire” which covers additional costs.  

Health insurance

Certain specialised therapeutic consultations (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, natural medicine) require a prescription from your GP to be reimbursed by compulsory health insurance. In the event of hospitalisation or doubt about the services covered, it is best to check with your health insurance first.

Finding a doctor

In Switzerland, citizens generally have a “family doctor”. It is a generalist who can then refer you to a specialist, depending on the needs. To find a doctor or a paediatrician for your child, you can contact the Société vaudoise de médecine (SVM). You can also consult the website of the Fédération Suisse des Médecins FMH.

More information

Société vaudoise de médecine (SVM)
Chemin de Mornex 38
Case postale 7443 | 1002 Lausanne
021 651 05 05
info@svmed.ch

You can consult the following website which specifies the language spoken by the doctors.

More information

Advice

Your family doctor may be imposed according to the insurance contracted or must be chosen from a list of doctors imposed by the insurer. The chosen family doctor is then responsible for the medical follow-up of the insured persons who have opted for him or her. He or she can then refer you to a specialist, depending on your needs. You may also have to go through the general practitioner if you want to be reimbursed by the insurance.

What to do in case of a health problem?

1. Contact your doctor

As soon as you have a family doctor, he or she will be the person to contact in the event of illness, moderately serious accident or psychological distress. You can also consult your pharmacist. You will talk to the person who knows you best and who can assess your health situation and organise your care.

2. Contact the call centre

If you do not have a doctor or he or she does not answer, the call centre for on-call doctors answers 24 hours a day on 0848 133 133 (local rate). This number is valid throughout the canton of Vaud. The call centre is staffed by health professionals (nurses) specially trained to respond to calls. One of them will assess your situation, advise you and direct you to the most suitable structure. In addition, these professionals will be able to answer you in several languages.

3. Contact the Centre médico-social

If you cannot leave your home, the Centre médico-social (CMS) offers nursing care, home meal delivery and assistance with care, in all regions of the canton.

Association vaudoise d’aide et de soins à domicile (AVASAD)
Avenue de Chavannes 37
1014 Lausanne
021 623 36 36
info@avasad.ch

4. Contact the emergency services

In the event of a life-threatening emergency, the number to dial is 144 (ambulance). 144 is reserved for life-threatening emergencies. It should only be called if your life or that of others is in danger and requires immediate medical and health intervention. If it is an emergency, but you are able to move around, you will have to go to the hospital closest to your home.

Note that emergency services have an obligation to treat all people in life-threatening emergencies regardless of their income or health insurance affiliation.

Advice

If you need to be accompanied to the doctor, dentist, hospital or Centre medico-social, you can call on the transport service of the Vaud Red Cross. Volunteers make their private vehicle available and can be called upon every working day. Fares include an amount for pick-up and then are calculated based on the distance travelled.

More information

Patient’s rights

For advice on health-related procedures or in the event of a conflict with a therapist or an insurer.

Organisation suisse des patients (OSP)
CHUV | Chemin de Mont-Paisible 18
1011 Lausanne
021 314 73 88

A brochure presenting “the essentials of patients’ rights” is available with a summary in several languages, see the page below.

More information

Addictions

National Competence Centre in the field of addictions

Addiction problems with substance (tobacco, alcohol, medication or drugs) or without (hyperconnectivity, gambling and eating disorders) can affect all populations in Switzerland. The Swiss addiction portal offers help for people and families suffering from any addiction-related problem.

Health promotion

Unisanté

Unisanté, the centre for general medicine and public health in Lausanne, provides, among other things, advice on promotion and prevention concerning the health of the inhabitants of the canton of Vaud. This information is available on the institution’s website and relates in particular to diet, physical activity, smoking and sexual health. Screening for cardiovascular diseases, breast and colon cancers are also offered.

Emergency numbers

Police
117

Firefighters
118

Ambulance
144

Poisoning
Tox Info Suisse – Swiss Center for Poisoning Information
145 ou 044 251 51 51

Youth
Pro Juventute – Telephone line helping children and young people
147

On-call doctors
0848 133 133 (tarif local)

Help line
La Main Tendue – 24/7 telephone
line for people who need help and support
143 (0.20 fr. par appel)

Domestic violence
Centre d’accueil MalleyPrairie
24/7 specialist advice on
domestic violence
021 620 76 76

Air rescue
Rega
1414