ITALY | Emergency | General information
The Minister of the Interior is the Public Security National Authority and is responsible for public order and security maintenance.
The function of Public Security Administration is exercised, at central level, by the Public Security Department. As envisaged by law, the Public Security Department has the task of:
- implementing public order and security policy through the identification of both technical and operational guidelines and management goals, on the basis of ministerial guidelines and with a subsequent control of the results achieved;
- ensuring the technical and operational co-ordination and unitary direction of Police Forces,
- carrying out the tasks of direction and management of the State Police, that is a Police Force having a general competence and a civil status;
- handling the technical supports also for the Ministry of the Interior general needs.
In Italy you can dial 112 (Carabinieri) or 113 (Polizia) in order to reach the Public Emergency Service. It is advisable to dial those numbers only in case of a real emergency.
Other useful numbers are:
- 115 Fire Department ( Vigili del Fuoco ). The call is free.
- 116 Road service ( Automobil Club Italiano ). The call is free.
- 117 Financial Police ( Guardia di Finanza ). This call is free.
- 118 Ambulance Service ( Emergenza sanitaria ). The call is free.
In Italy, as in other member states of the European Union, everyone has the same medical and health benefits as citizens of the other member countries.
Before departure, people should request the E111 form if they are leaving for holidays and the E128 form if they are leaving for study or employment reasons.
The European Health Insurance Card is not yet available in Italy.
In order to use the National Health Service, it is necessary to go to the local medical office (called ASL, Azienda Sanitaria Locale) with the E111 form and ask for a health card ( libretto sanitario ). The person will be assigned to a doctor and will be able to use the public and private hospitals and clinics operating within the National Health Service. In order to obtain the treatment required, the person must show the health card, the prescription written by the doctor, and the receipt of payment for the prescription charge ( ticket ). These documents are not required if you go to an emergency room.
Both prescription and over-the-counter medicines and medicinal products, are only sold only in pharmacies. Medical prescriptions expire after ten days.
A private citizen can be insured against medical illness treament costs by paying an insurance premium.
The services include reimbursement of hospital expenses (fully paid in NHS clinics and partially paid in others), expenses for house calls and visits to doctors' offices, surgery, and physical or rehabilitation therapy .
In every city and tourist resort there is also a medical service which offers emergency treatment and first aid.
Croce Bianca: http://www.crocebianca.org/
Croce Verde: http://www.croceverde.it/
Croce Rossa Italiana: http://www.cri.it/
Travel Health Online: http://www.tripprep.com/
Emergenze, guida agli ospedali: http://www.ospedale.net/
Emergenze mediche: http://www.emergenzemediche.net/