“Doctors on Call – Monaco”, the new night-time medical service in the Principality

Since 1 October 2025, the Doctors on Call – Monaco service enables residents of the Principality to receive home consultations at night for non-urgent medical needs. Available all year round, seven days a week, the service operates from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. by dialling 116 117. MonacoSanté provides all the information.

A team of 17 doctors on duty

No more worrying about a night without medical assistance: Monaco now has an innovative out-of-hours system for non-urgent care. Since Wednesday 1 October, the non-profit organisationDoctors on Call - Monaco (MGM) has been operational. Seventeen doctors are already part of the team that makes night-time home visits throughout Monaco in an electric vehicle. This new service, which complements the daytime cover provided by local medical practices, is designed to improveaccess to non-urgent care between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., seven days a week, 365 days a year. “The launch of Doctors on Call – Monaco meets a strong public demand: to have access to medical care at night. This service represents a major step forward for public health and service quality in the Principality”, said Christophe Robino, Minister of Health and Social Affairs. To benefit from the service, it couldn’t be simpler: patients can request a home consultation by calling 116 117. “I believe this is real progress in several respects: it will expand the range of care available and improve services for the population, while also helping to ease pressure on the emergency department, which will be relieved of patients who do not strictly require emergency care,” explained Mr Robino.

Bilingual consultations in French and English

This enhancement to patient care will also strengthen cooperation with the Police Department. “In particular when assessing the suitability for custody or detention of individuals taken into police custody while under the influence of alcohol”, said the Minister. Previously, a police unit had to escort such individuals to the hospital emergency department. “That tied up hospital resources for situations that did not necessarily benefit the general public, even if it was important to ensure there was no risk during detention.” The Minister praised the seventeen doctors — practising in Monaco and France, including within the Princess Grace Hospital (CHPG) emergency department — who have accepted to join the scheme. “At present, the main challenge remains medical availability. The Prince’s Government has worked hard in recent years to increase the number of general practitioners in the Principality.” From around fifty doctors based in Monaco in 2022, there are now more than eighty. “This night-time medical service complements daytime care, ensuring that 24 hours a day, medical care is available within a reasonable time frame.” In practical terms, calls will be coordinated by the Monaco Fire and Emergency Service. “They will handle incoming calls, ensure traceability, and direct them to the appropriate doctor”, explained Mr Robino. Once the call is received, it is transferred to theon-call doctor’smobile phone. Equipped with a tablet, the doctor can access details about the visit to be carried out and respond effectively to the patient’s medical needs. Another Monegasque feature: doctors will be able to speak in English to facilitate communication with non-French-speaking patients.

Collaboration with Monaco’s healthcare institutions

Other healthcare institutions in the Principality are also contributing to this initiative. “The CHPG is providing some of the doctors. The Monaco Cardio-Thoracic Centre will analyse in real time the electrocardiograms performed by the visiting doctor, to ensure that no specialist intervention is required. Lastly, the IM2S will provide the on-call doctors with a rest area between visits.” Dr Mélanie Macchi, an emergency physician at the CHPG, advocated for the introduction of this system. She noted that patients who previously could not consult a doctor at night, often went to the emergency department, even when their condition did not warrant it. Dr Macchi added that the service would also help parents facing difficulties with non-urgent childcare, or elderly people who struggle to get around. “Some had difficulty returning home late at night when no ambulance was available”, she explained. Finally, the service will also be useful for issuing death certificates during the night — a task that previously fell by default to the Emergency Medical Service (SMUR). 

A service dedicated exclusively to Monaco

The Prince’s Government has specified that a second doctor will always be on standby to take over should the first be unavailable. Initially, the service will focus exclusively on the territory of Monaco, in order to meet the needs regularly expressed by residents of the Principality. “I wanted the system to be tested first at the level of Monaco, so that we can assess its success and the volume of night-time activity. Then, in a second phase, if demand arises, we will see whether adjustments are necessary”, said Mr Robino. All doctors involved in the organisation have undertaken to comply with its terms. Their work will be remunerated through on-call allowances paid by the Monegasque Social Security Funds, along with fees for home visits (consultation and travel), based on the conventional rates. “For patients with a green form, the standard fee will apply. For those with a blue form, the rule is that supplementary fees cannot exceed twice the standard consultation rate”, concluded the Minister.

Practical information:
Doctors on Call – Monaco
By telephone: 116 117
From 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., seven days a week, including weekends and public holidays, 365 days a year. Area covered: Monaco

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