Focus on health and wellbeing

Medical care in the Schaffhausen area: Your health is the priority.

In the Schaffhausen area, we attach great importance to high-quality medical care and your well-being. Here is some important information to help you navigate the healthcare system.

Safety first! In the case of traffic accidents involving personal injury, one thing is certain: the police must be called immediately. But did you know that it is also advisable to call the police in case of other accidents involving personal injury, be it at home, during sports or at work? Why? It's simple: in such cases, the police take over the patient transport.

Police emergency number 117

The Schaffhausen police

Alertswiss

Accident

Emergency doctor

In cases of acute illness or less serious injuries, your first point of contact is your family doctor. If he or she is not available, you can obtain information by calling 144, the number for medical emergencies. If the patient's condition permits transport, you can take him or her directly to the emergency ward of the Cantonal Hospital Schaffhausen.

Medical emergency number 144

The Alertswiss website is a collection of all relevant information about emergency situations. You will find all the information you need about what to do in a disaster or emergency situation, which may save lives.

In addition, the Alertswiss app informs you about acute events so that you can take protective measures in good time. 

Emergency pharmacy

There for you around the clock! Outside regular opening hours, you can reach any pharmacy in the municipality of Schaffhausen or Neuhausen by telephone. Your call will automatically be forwarded to the pharmacy on duty. They will take care of your health needs.

Schaffhausen pharmacies

The Schaffhausen train station pharmacy

Psychological help

At any time, around the clock, 365 days a year, you can call 143 to speak to someone you can trust with anything: the Dargebotene Hand. The anonymity of the people calling and the confidentiality of the "Dargebotenen Hand" are the highest priority. The service is free of charge.

Dargebotene Hand phone number 143

Emergency veterinary

In an emergency, try to reach your own vet by phone. Usually, the emergency veterinarian of the Schaffhausen area is named on the answering machine.

The Schaffhausen Veterinary Office

Family doctor

In Switzerland, there is a free choice of doctor for outpatient treatment. Insured persons with a savings model in the basic health insurance are exempt. The costs of outpatient treatment in the vicinity of your place of residence or work are covered by your basic health insurance. When you go to the doctor for the first time, you must show your health insurance card.

The family doctors run an emergency practice in the region. This is located right next to the emergency room of the Schaffhausen hospitals.

Schaffhausen emergency practice telephone number +41 52 634 34 00 (emergency call 144)

Dentist

A radiant smile, without compromise! Dental treatments are usually not covered by health insurance and have to be paid out of pocket. But don't worry - many health insurers offer attractive supplementary insurance. And there is good news for school-age children: They are entitled to low-cost treatment at the Schaffhausen school dental clinic.

For emergencies:  the Schaffhausen Dental Centre

Hospitals

The area of Schaffhausen has two hospitals: the public Cantonal Hospital and the private Belair Clinic. Both institutions offer medical care at a high level. Admission to the hospital is usually made by the attending family doctor. In emergencies, however, patients can also go directly to the emergency ward of the Cantonal Hospital.



In hospitals, however, there is hardly any possibility to freely choose a doctor. Exceptions to this rule are hospitals with affiliated doctors or a corresponding supplementary insurance (private or semi-private).

Health insurance

All residents or employed people in Switzerland (including cross-border commuters) are obliged to take out compulsory health insurance in accordance with the KVG (Health Insurance Act). Registration must take place within three months of taking up residence or employment (cross-border commuters) in Switzerland. Upon application to the Social Insurance Office Schaffhausen, foreign persons may be exempted from compulsory insurance, provided they have equivalent insurance cover for medical treatment in Switzerland.

The benefits of basic insurance are the same for all health insurance funds and are precisely defined in the Health Insurance Act. Basic insurance covers the three main areas of illness, accident and maternity. The health insurance funds are obliged to include every applicant who wishes to join in the basic insurance.

There are various savings models and it is worth comparing them with the different health insurance companies.

If services are provided for a doctor, hospital or medication, insured persons must contribute to these costs.

Insurance companies also offer – in addition to basic insurance – voluntary supplementary insurance, such as for dental treatment costs, home health care, etc.

The health insurance companies are free to accept members. It should also be noted that health insurance companies do not insure all medical services.

Premium calculator of the Federal Office of Public Health: Priminfo

Health insurance comparison service: comparis.ch