New direction for the Coordinated Medical Service (KSD).

Work in the health sector has been dominated by the pandemic in recent years. Against this background, a project to reform the Coordinated Medical Service (KSD) has been underway since 2020 under the leadership of the Delegate for the Swiss Security Network (SVS). At the end of 2021, the Final Report presented to the head of the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). This contains six reform proposals that are to be implemented in the coming months.

Analysis of the activities of the KSD in special situations

In future, a distinction will be made between tasks in normal situations (crisis preparation) and tasks in special or extraordinary situations. There will no longer be a dual function as Federal Council Commissioner for the CSD and as Chief Surgeon of the Armed Forces. In addition, the partners of the CSD are to be involved in the future within the framework of an accompanying committee. In addition, the DDPS is examining whether a medical service coordination body (Sanko) should be retained. In the event of a crisis, a divisional organization of the Federal Civil Protection Staff (BSTB) for the health service is to be involved instead in order to integrate its tasks into the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC). However, the KSD is to continue to be financed by the federal government in the future, with the legal basis for the medical service to be adapted in accordance with the proposals.

Viola Amherd has approved the proposals, according to the DDPS statement. Above all, it is important that the KSD assumes a supporting and coordinating role at the national level in the future. The body will therefore no longer be part of the Defense Group, but will be integrated into the Federal Office for Civil Protection (Babs).

Source: VBS