Health system in Neuchâtel

Hi,

I am living in Neuchâtel since July last year and I am discovering the health system in this canton which unfortunately is a pure disaster

First of all, I have been unable to find a family doctor, which I find quite shocking.

I have a problem with an ear and called Medgate (mandatory with my insurance) to get the permission to see a specialist.They gave me 3 numbers of doctors and charged me 60 CHF (!) but none of these specialists could give me an appointment.

I don't want to call again as I fear I will be charged again for nothing...

Recently, as the symptoms got worse, I went to a clinic close to my place (Medbase).They only have student doctors there who didn't have a clue and gave me a nasal spray (completely useless).They charged me 150 CHF for 15 minutes consultation (yes, that's the way it goes in Switzerland).

I suspect I might have something serious and I am a bit desperate. Does somebody know a place with competent professionals where they accept new patients?

Many thanks for your help!

There are two Medbase centres in Neuchâtel and both have them have fully qualified and competent doctors there, there are certainly not just student doctors there.

There is a shortage of GPs in Neuchâtel just the same as in most other cantons in Switzerland and that is a big problem.

I have no idea how the Medgate system works but you could go to the medical centre in Cadolles or the Hopital de La Providence which both offer a walk in service.

We have an excellent GP but I know that she is not accepting new patients.

I'm sorry to hear you are having trouble.

I'm not in NE, so can't advise about local doctors - but be aware that there is a serious problem with lack of GPs in many areas throughout Switzerland.

Many current practitioners are reaching retirement age, and many young doctors have little interest in going into general practice. Those that are interested are often only willing to work part time, meaning Switzerland is only training a portion of the GPs needed.

It is only going to get worse.

It is increasingly common that GPs have closed their practices to new patients. You may find that you have to travel farther afield, perhaps into a major city, to find someone willing to take you on. Just keep calling every practice within the radius of your ability to travel.

Yes, often one ends up seeing a junior doctor, sometimes there just isn't an alternative. So think how you can better utilize that appointment with a junior doctor: ask more probing questions, ask about follow-though, and if your problem is getting worse, ask if a referral to a specialist might be in order. One might need to be more proactive in a consultation with a doctor here than one is used to in the system back home.

You might find that a different insurance model - say, traditional where you don't need permission from the insurer or from a Hausarzt in order to access care - might in the long run be a better option for those in areas where it is harder to access doctors, even if the policy costs more upfront.

(But be aware that even with a traditional model, some specialists still will not see you without a referral from a GP. It's not a cost or coverage issue, rather a way of managing the patient load.)

Does your insurer offer a video medical appointment option? (Are these still allowed post-pandemic?) If so, you might look for a GP who offers video appointments, as that would give you a wider geographical range to find a provider.

I understand your frustration - but from experience, just keep plugging away, tcalling every practice within a reasonable area trying to find a doctor who can take you on. It took me several years, here's hoping you get lucky sooner than that.

Hi,

Well, it's not only Neuchâtel. In general, the system of family doctor is broken. There are not enough of them, somehow everyone pretends it works and insurance companies still offer it as an alternative.

It's really a shame that you passed by the local clinic and no progress. I don't have much experience but I can tell my experience from some years ago. I recently moved to new canton, did not have family doc so I asked for help at my job. Someone from HR called to one clinic like the one you described and got an appointment for next morning. I think I got in such sorry condition, that the general doc that examined me wrote a letter to the specialist and had an appointment a week later.......and 2 weeks later I was in the operating room.

But, is this a recurring issue or first time that happens to you? If it has happened before, ask your previous doc on how to describe your problem. As years pass I've found that docs around here only react when you say the right words. I've expected a more inquisitive spirit on their side of the doc-patient relationship, but it seems generals docs are like computers that only react to precise keywords in a specific programming language and not people. So, if it's not the first time, talk to the doc that treated you before on how to explain what you feel.

I agree with BelgianMum - call the Centre Medicale de Cadolles open 7 / 7