The Health Board and the Health Insurance Fund are changing the ambulance service. The new system will start operating in 2028. Most teams will consist of two members. There will be fewer brigades working at night.
The goal of the new system is to provide better assistance. Ambulances will arrive faster. Everyone will receive equal help. Ambulance bases will be added in every region of Estonia.
Ambulances will work more during the day. There will be fewer calls at night. Therefore, there will be more teams during the day. At night, there will be fewer teams, but help will still arrive quickly.
Doctors and nurses will continue to work in the ambulance service. The service will remain free. Most teams will have two members. In some places, three-member teams will work.
The new system is more flexible. Ambulances will be closer to people. Help will also reach places where it was difficult before.
Special teams will handle the most severe cases. They will assist regular teams. Each region will have special teams.
First aid teams are important on small islands. They help before the main team arrives. This is crucial in bad weather or hard-to-reach areas.
Doctors' assistance is now available throughout Estonia. The quality of service is the same everywhere. Telemedicine and e-ambulance contribute to this.
The Health Insurance Fund will select new ambulance companies through a tender. The results of the tender will be announced on September 30. Current contracts are valid until the end of 2027.