a good GP in Zug

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
Hello can anyone recommend a good GP practice in Zug? I have just landed in Switzerland and will be living here long term and would like to speak with someone. Thanks

2
How do you define good ? They all have same training.

A better question maybe does anyone in the Zug region know of a GP taking on new patients.

3

Dear OP,

The EF basic search turned up these results - maybe a good starting point

https://www.englishforum.ch/search2.php?q=doctor+zug

HTH,
Nick

4
One that makes the right call.

One who can admit that they don't know everything.

One who would seek a second opinion without question if there was any doubt.

One who would personally follow up on any action.

Lots don't do this. Some are a danger to their patients with their attitude and/or ineptitude.

They don't all have the same training. Ours isn't Swiss.

5

Dr Brandmaier in Steinhausen ( https://www.aerzteteam.ch/de/team ) was my GP when I lived in Kt Zug. He’s Austrian, lived in UK for a number of years, so his English is good. Found him a good mix of the pragmatic UK system (a bit of wait and see before rushing off to specialists or tests) and the Swiss system (tests and specialists galore if needed)

6
Thank you, I agree with your comment! I work in healthcare so I know there is huge variation even if you have been trained at the same University. Also one might be qualified in the CH but have got here as their original education might be different. I think I would appreciate recommendations. I’d like someone who has good bed side manner, communicates well in English (given I am not fluent in German) and is not working on their own. I think sole-practicitioners tend to be more out of touch. Is there a friends and family test that all GP practices have to undergo here in CH? Or anything similar that I can check? Thank you!

7
Something that might influence your search:

There is a shortage of GPs in Switzerland, forecasted to get even worse as the current generation retires.

Some GPs no longer accept new patients. It took me a year to find my first GP - who retired shortly thereafter. Then a succession long searches, finding a GP willing to take on a new patient, only to have him or her retire a few years after, rinse and repeat. I finally found a newly etablished group practice that had open patient books, and although I am not all that keen on my GP I stay there because the doctors are mostly at least a decade from retiring.

Now - the GP shortage is most accute in out of the way places. In a city like Zug or Zürich and close in 'burbs you should have a much easier time of it., as there will be many more doctors practicing in an urban setting.

But be aware that, as with the housing search, you may have to compromise.

If while you are looking you have an urgent need to see a doctor there is the Arzthaus, by the Bahnhof. I can't remember if they take walk-ins but it's group practice so not so difficult to get an appointment. I have not been treated there myself, but accompanied a friend to translate - and the practice seemed fine.

8

Okay! So useful to know this, thank you! It’s a pretty similar issue back in the U.K. the big cities are fine but Mandy GPS are leaving the NHS or retiring.

I think I might try what try what @HeckenHocker recommend as the Dr has worked I the U.K. and also speaks English.

There is a lot of differences re the health system that make me a little worried such as when and how a Dr or an Insurance company decides if the treatment is past of basic or supplementary. So hopefully the GP can also give me some

Pointers as the insurance company agent was confusing me and pushing a lot of insurance products and scaring me about waiting lists

9
Assuming you are used to the UK health system....you will get everything you need covered under so-called basic insurance. Waiting lists are far far shorter than the UK and having extra insurance won't make more than a few days difference (e.g. is a private or shared room available).

Dental work, private room, certain complementary therapies are not included. Here you need an additional insurance. Getting additional insurance is easy if you are young and have no preexisting illnesses or operations....gets harder as you get older and acquire a medical history.

If you want to save a bit of money, you can opt for the "Hausarzt" model - here you need a GP referral before seeing a specialist (same as UK). In reality, many specialists anyway won't accept a patient without a GP referral.

If you want to save more money, there are Telemed models, where you have to call and get permission to go to the doctor (GP, specialist or whatever), other than in emergency. Saves doctors visits/costs for minor stuff, but if you normally only go for sensible stuff, may be too much hassle. (Example of not-sensible.....going to the ER/A&E because an insect bit you yesterday and it itches).

10
Just to let everyone know I managed to book an appointment with a GP someone recommended on here for next week. I just called up and they booked me in. So far so good.

Thank you!

11
Neustadt Praxis in Zug has good general practitioners. It is easy to book and they all speak English. They are located on Industriestrasse so very central.

12
Dr Schmidt, she's excellent and has flawless English. She has been my GP since 2008, when I changed from a previous GP. I haven't seen her since they changed name and location to Neustadt Praxis, but would expect the excellent service to continue.

13

I’m with Arzthaus Zug at the train station. My GP is Dr Phan who speaks impeccable English and is a very smiley, motivational young doctor.
They’re open 7-days a week, and until late, so its also super practical.

14

Thanks I looked fro Dr Schmidt on https://www.neustadtpraxis.ch/team1/
but she is not listed?

thanks, I am considering moving to this praxis, what put me off is their website is not available in English…

15
That will.often be the case here as English is not a nationa language but many doctors speak it. Don't be out off by it and learn some basic German so you can navigate the website and maybe simple conversation on the phone etc.

16

Yes she is I just looked, top row 3rd Dr

Why would you expect it to be in English? Deepl can be your friend though

17
Hello All

I went to the Neustadt Praxis and asked for an appointment but the receptionist told me they were not accepting new patients and currently they are only accepting HMO-model patients. I was rejected for this reason

Thanks

18
I think they are very busy.

I wanted to book for last week and only one appointment slot was on offer, nothing else. I had to cancel other arrangements to get there.