How to get help if you fall ill
County councils are supposed to offer all the care people need. No one in need of emergency care may be turned away.
Healthcare and medical staff are not allowed to contact the police if anyone who is an illegal immigrant in Sweden seeks care.
Healthcare advice
Phone 1177, at any time of day or night, when you need advice about care. Specially trained nurses answer calls and can tell you if there is anything you can do yourself. You may be advised to visit the district nurse or doctor at your health centre or to go to the accident and emergency department at your nearest hospital.
Health centre
Staff on duty at the health centre include family doctors and district nurses. They help you by providing care that does not require hospital resources and equipment. If the family doctor, who is a specialist in general medicine, decides that you need specialist care you will be referred to a hospital. Visits to the health centre should be booked in advance by telephone. Phone your local health centre or the healthcare advice helpline, 1177.
112 — the emergency number that can save lives
If you or anyone near you has a severe accident or suddenly falls seriously ill, you should phone 112. This number applies throughout Sweden. When you call 112 you should say:
- What has happened.
- Where the help is needed.
- Who you, the caller, are.
This number may be used only when you or someone near you needs help very quickly. The same number is also used in emergencies where assistance from the police or fire brigade is needed.
Ambulance — more medical care than transport
In severe accidents and illnesses, the response from the emergency services at 112 is to send an ambulance with a nurse and/or a doctor. All ambulances are equipped with modern computer technology that enables cardiac activity to be investigated and the hospital to be informed directly about the victim’s condition. The hospital doctor can instruct the ambulance staff about necessary measures to carry out on the way to the hospital.