Paulette Lenert, Minister of Health;
Credit: SIP / Yves Kortum
On Monday afternoon, Luxembourg’s Minister of Health Paulette Lenert accompanied by Dr Alain Schmit, President of the Association of Doctors and Dentists (Association des médecins et médecins-dentistes, AMMD), held a press conference on the organisation of the national health system during the state of emergency.
On this occasion, the Health Minister began by confirming the latest official COVID-19 (coronavirus) figures: 1,988 confirmed cases and 22 deaths to date.
Paulette Lenert went on to explain that the current health crisis has led to the need to reorganise the health system in Luxembourg. This reorganisation is aimed at allowing patients to continue to benefit from medical care adapted to their needs and according to the circumstances. The pandemic has also resulted in many changes for healthcare stakeholders. For instance, the activities carried out in an independent medical practice have been limited to treating the most severe and / or urgent health problems.
Health Minister Paulette Lenert stressed that in this time of crisis, it is more important than ever that patients be clearly informed of the structures they can seek in the event of a health problem. Together with the medical profession, the Ministry of Health has thus set up several channels in the primary care sector according to a well-structured organisational model, aimed at protecting both patients and health professionals.
In this context, general practitioners can be contacted via teleconsultation (preferably via the eConsult system). This option is to be preferred by people at risk, namely people over 65 as well as people suffering from certain chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease or those who have a weakened immune system due to disease or cancer treatment, for example. The general practitioner will then refer patients to the most suitable structure (advanced care centres, A&E), if necessary and depending on their state of health.
General practitioners will also provide home visits for the duration of the coronavirus crisis, both to patients with COVID-19 symptoms and to those suffering from a disease unrelated to COVID-19. These visits will be carried out by different medical teams to avoid the risk of contagion.
Patients can also go to the newly opened advanced medical care centres ("centres de soins avancés") on their own initiative for medical examination in the event of symptoms associated with COVID-19. Patients do not need to have a prescription and can also go there for health conditions unrelated to COVID-19. The four centres are open daily from 08:00 to 20:00 and are located at the following locations: at Luxexpo in Luxembourg-Kirchberg; at the Rockhal in Esch-Belval; at the Däichhal in Ettelbruck; and at the cultural centre in Grevenmacher. Drop-in medical houses will remain closed for the duration of the pandemic.
People residing in nursing homes and accommodation structures for the elderly will benefit from a guaranteed continuous medical presence 24/7 to ensure the follow-up of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients.
Hospital emergency services will continue to operate for people suffering from a serious health problem, as well as for patients with symptoms of coronavirus who require hospital care.
For dental emergencies, patients can call the Hotline 8002-8080 which will put him / her in contact with the daycare service in his / her region. This service is reserved for emergencies, with the exception of routine dental maintenance or control procedures.
In addition, Minister Lenert praised the good cooperation with doctors and the health professions during the crisis. She praised their commitment and the flexibility they have shown since the start of the epidemic: "We are preparing to face an epidemiological peak which will require that all our professional resources be mobilised effectively at the right time".
General practitioners, medical specialists and dentists are invited to sign up to different groups in the national reserve before noon on 31 March 2020 in different groups: Group 1, which encompasses medical care in advanced medical care centres and home visits to COVID-19 patients; Group 2 for medical care by teleconsultation and home visits to non-COVID-19 patients; Group 3 concerning medical care for assistance and care establishments and visits to such establishments for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients; Group 4 for medical care by teleconsultation by specialised doctors; and Group 5 for the medical management of dental care.
Management of the medical contingent that is available is ensured according to an organisational model that has been developed and in consultation with the heads of the structures concerned by a national coordinator who is appointed by the Minister of Health.
On 30 March 2020, a new uniform hourly rate of €236.40 was adopted to pay for consultations and treatments in the context of the coronavirus pandemic to be applied by any doctor, general practitioner or specialist, regardless of the care structure.
Finally, doctors and regulated health professions covered by the law of 26 March 1992 and practising their profession on an independent basis may opt for appointment by the State in the form of a fixed-term employment contract as a private state employee. This concerns the following health professions: nursing assistant, senior assistant, medical technical assistant, nurse, anesthesia and resuscitation nurse, paediatric nurse, psychiatric nurse, graduate nurse, midwife, social hygiene assistant, podiatrist, social worker, dietitian, occupational therapist, laboratory assistant, masseur, masseur-physiotherapist, osteopath, speech therapist, orthoptist, curative pedagogue and psychomotor therapist, as well as psychotherapists.
All health professionals who have registered in the national reserve will be contacted automatically to verify their interest in a state employee contract. More information can be requested by phone via tel.: 247-73210 or via email: ressources.covid-19@ms.etat.lu
