In case of emergency

112 is the number for the emergency services and fire department throughout Europe.
It should be dialed immediately in situations where there is a danger to life or where this cannot be ruled out.

Example situations:

• Severe chest pain, suspected heart attack
• Respiratory distress or respiratory arrest
• Unconsciousness, seizures
• Severe injuries, heavy bleeding, accidents
• Stroke symptoms (e.g. paralysis, speech disorders, weakness on one side)
• Acute poisoning, severe allergic reactions
• Acute psychological crisis with danger to self and/or others (if you are afraid of harming yourself or others)

If you are unsure, it is better to call once too often than once too little (only misuse is punishable by law).

In life-threatening situations, call the emergency services on 112!

The emergency room is intended for acute complaints that require immediate medical clarification, but where you can still get there on your own.

Example situations:

• Sudden severe pain
• Major wounds that require stitches
• Acute infections with a strong feeling of illness
• Injuries due to accidents
• Acute mental crisis (visit a psychiatric emergency room at a clinic, e.g. LWL-Klinik Dortmund)

There are a large number of hospitals with emergency departments in Dortmund. The Klinikum Dortmund or St. Johannes Hospital Dortmund are usually the quickest to reach from the campus.

116117 is the medical on-call service ("Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst") and is responsible for non-life-threatening complaints when doctors' surgeries are usually closed (evenings, nights, Wednesday afternoons, weekends, public holidays). Here you can get advice over the phone and find out where the nearest on-call practice is or whether a home visit is possible.

Example situations:

• Severe colds or fever
• Earache, back pain
• Minor injuries
• Acute complaints that cannot wait until the next working day

There is also the Dortmund emergency service ("Dortmunder Notfalldienst"), which you can visit for non-life-threatening complaints such as those mentioned above when regular doctors' surgeries are usually closed (please note the opening hours below). The emergency service is to be understood as a family doctor's emergency service and is affiliated to the hospital "Klinikum Dortmund", but it is not the emergency room (if in doubt, ask on site)!

Address: Beurhausstraße 40, 44137 Dortmund

Opening hours: daily from 18:00-22:00, Wednesdays from 13:00-22:00 (please note that there may be long waiting times)

Outside the regular opening hours of pharmacies, emergency service pharmacies take over the supply of medicines.

Emergency service pharmacies can be found via:

• The emergency service search of the Federal Association of German Pharmacists (ABDA)
• Notices at every pharmacy
• Common pharmacy apps
• Online search engines (enter "Notfallapotheke + location")

A small additional fee is often charged for the emergency service.

It is helpful to have the following documents and information to hand:

• Health insurance card
• Identity card/passport
• Medication schedule (especially if taken regularly)
• Information on allergies, chronic illnesses or implants
• Emergency contacts (e.g. "ICE - In Case of Emergency" in your cell phone)

This makes treatment easier and speeds up the process in an emergency.

112 emergency calls and rescue missions are medically necessary - the costs are usually covered by health insurance.

Treatment in the emergency room is covered for those with statutory health insurance. However, additional payments may still be required (e.g. for medication, hospitalization).

On-call service under 116117 is free of charge for those with statutory health insurance.

Pharmacy emergency service charges apply if you need medication outside of opening hours (usually approx. EUR 2.50 - 3).

Private insurances regulate costs depending on the tariff.

Basic information on cost coverage in the German healthcare system can be found here.

In a medical emergency or in the event of a fire, dial 112!

Contact the police by calling 110 if there is acute danger or if a criminal offense has occurred or is imminent.

Example situations:

• Danger to life or limb (e.g. violence, threats)

• Burglary, robbery, assault

• Suspicious persons or observations that suggest a crime has been committed

• Fights, massive disputes

• Traffic accidents with injuries, hit-and-run or aggressive behavior

• Sexual assaults

• Damage to property that has just happened

There are other situations in which the police can be contacted, but the local police station should be contacted (via regular telephone numbers or online) rather than calling 911.

Example situations:

• A report is to be made (e.g. theft without acute danger)

• An ongoing noise nuisance is to be reported

• You need an appointment or information

Depending on the incident, the police or the rescue service or fire department are also directly responsible for emergencies on the TU Dortmund University campus:

The telephone numbers are:

• 110 (police)
• 112 (rescue service or fire department)
  Important: If you use a TU Dortmund University landline telephone to make the call, you must first dial "0", for example 0-112.

Then please also inform the TU Dortmund University control room on (0231) 755-3333 (or from a TU Dortmund University landline telephone: -3333). This helps to quickly activate TU Dortmund University's internal emergency chain (routing for emergency services, securing buildings, etc.).

These and other emergency numbers relating to TU Dortmund University can also be found in the TU App under "SOS Emergency" and online.

Students are legally insured against accidents during certain activities in related to their studies - the accident insurance "Unfallkasse NRW" is responsible for this.

The insurance cover applies to

• Lectures, seminars and laboratory practicals
• Travel to and from the university
• University events (excursions, internships, certain university sports)

In the event of an accident in such situations, an accident report (website in German only) must therefore also be submitted so that the accident insurance "Unfallkasse NRW" can provide support with medical treatment, rehabilitation and, if necessary, other benefits.

Private activities, e.g. trips to the supermarket or sporting leisure activities with no official connection to your studies, are not covered.

If you are afraid of harming yourself or others, call 112 or go to a psychiatric emergency room of a clinic (e.g. LWL-Klinik Dortmund)!

In other psychological crises, there is confidential and free help available at any time:

• TelefonSeelsorge (24/7, anonymous): 0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222; chat & mail counseling possible
• Number against grief (people up to the age of 27): 116111
• Crisis center of the city of Dortmund
• Social psychiatric service

TU Dortmund University and Studierendenwerk Dortmund offer free, confidential counseling services:

Psychological Student Advisory Service at TU Dortmund University:

• Helps with study stress, exam anxiety, motivation, concentration problems
• Offers individual consultations, workshops and group sessions
• Provides confidential advice independent of the department
• Assists with the question of whether professional therapy makes sense

Psychological Counseling of the Studierendenwerk Dortmund:

• Provides support with personal crises, conflicts, anxiety, depression, relationship issues
• Offers free and confidential counseling
• Can provide information about further offers of help

Both offices are bound to confidentiality.

In Germany, there are usually long waiting times of several months for therapy places, so it is not normally possible to take advantage of regular therapy at short notice. If you are already undergoing psychological therapy or if such therapy is likely to be necessary, you should discuss the possibility of continuing therapy on an interim basis with your current therapist.

A psychotherapeutic practice can be found via the following channels:

• Terminservicestellen (TSS) of the Kassenärztliche Vereinigungen: those affected can obtain an initial appointment by calling 116117 or online.
• Health insurance companies: Many health insurance companies provide support in the search for free therapy places and name practices with capacities.
• Psychotherapeutic practice search portals of the Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians: Here you can filter by specialty, language and proximity.
• Private therapist search (e.g. at practices approved by private health insurance) if you have private insurance.

It is worth contacting several practices at the same time, as waiting times vary.

In emergencies, it is possible to visit a psychiatric emergency room at a clinic (e.g. LWL-Klinik Dortmund).

Initial consultation ("psychotherapeutic consultation"):

• Serves as an initial assessment of the symptoms
• Clarifies whether therapy makes sense
• Gives recommendations for forms of therapy
• Can take place in person or online

Probationary sessions:

• Before the actual therapy begins, there are several "trial sessions" to check whether the collaboration works well.

Cost coverage:

• For those with statutory health insurance, therapy sessions in approved practices are completely free of charge.
• The health insurance company covers the costs as soon as the therapist has approved the therapy with the insurance company.
• Private insurance companies cover the costs depending on the tariff; it is important to clarify this in advance.

The family doctor (general practitioner or internist) is the first point of contact for health issues. They often know the medical history of their patients, coordinate treatments and refer patients to specialists if necessary.

A specialist doctor specializes in a particular field - e.g. dermatology, orthopaedics or neurology. Specialist examinations are usually more detailed and often require a referral.

There are various ways to find a suitable practice:

• Health insurance service sites such as this one (Website in German only) offer search functions for doctors by specialty, location and other criteria (e.g. language).
• Online doctor search portals (e.g. jameda, Doctolib) allow you to filter by ratings, opening hours and appointment availability.
• General practitioner recommendation (many general practitioners recommend qualified specialists).

Criteria when choosing a doctor can be accessibility, language skills, barrier-free access and personal sympathy.

By telephone: Most practices make appointments by telephone - this is particularly suitable for special requests that require further enquiries.

Online: Many now use online systems where you can book, reschedule or cancel appointments around the clock.

Open consultation hours: Open consultation hours are often offered by general practioners, for example, and mean that you can turn up without an appointment; however, you need to allow for longer waiting times.

Even in the case of acute complaints, you should call to find out when you can come to the practice.

The electronic health card (eGK) identifies you as an insured person. It is scanned at the doctor's surgery during the first visit of the quarter in order to settle costs with the health insurance company.

It is necessary for medical treatment, examinations and diagnostics, prescriptions for medication and referrals, among other things.

Make sure you always carry the card with you. If you do not have the card with you when you visit the doctor, it can be handed in at short notice if necessary. In acute emergencies, you will usually be treated without a card.

Registration: When you enter the practice, the first step is to register, where you present your health insurance card and, if necessary, briefly describe your concerns.

Waiting time: You then wait in the waiting room until you are called. The waiting time varies depending on the practice and urgency.

Diagnostics & treatment: You discuss symptoms, medical history and receive physical examinations or further diagnostics. Afterwards, you can clarify any queries and usually arrange a follow-up appointment. If necessary, the doctor will issue a prescription for medication and/or a referral (with diagnosis) to a specialist.

Certificates: A certificate of incapacity for work can also be issued for the employer or a certificate for students if you are unable to attend an examination or a seminar with compulsory attendance due to illness (see also "Certificate of incapacity for work or examination" below).

Pharmacies dispense medication and provide advice on dosage, interactions and possible side effects. You can use one of the many local pharmacies that offer detailed advice or an online pharmacy (make sure it is reputable!).

There are two categories of medication:

• Prescription drugs: These are only available with a doctor's prescription (e.g. antibiotics, many painkillers, psychotropic drugs).
• Over-the-counter medicines: You can obtain these without a prescription (e.g. mild painkillers, nasal sprays, stomach remedies or vitamins).

If you are unsure or have a pre-existing condition, it is advisable to consult a doctor or pharmacy before taking them.

Students usually do not need to notify the university of illness, as employees do for their employer - but a medical certificate is often required for missed examinations or absences from courses with compulsory attendance, which must be obtained at short notice (usually on the day of the examination) and submitted by the deadline.

Be sure to check with your department regarding the specific regulations!

If you lose a key to your home or lock yourself out, you should first check whether you have a spare key with friends, flatmates or in the house.

If there is none, there are two options:

• Caretaker/building management: Many halls of residence or rental properties have a janitor who has a spare card or a duplicate key. This is often cheaper than a private locksmith.
• Locksmith: A reputable locksmith should only be called once all other options have been checked. Make sure that you clarify the price in advance, that it is a local business and that you do not accept any unnecessary additional services. A simple door opening should usually cost in the double-digit to low three-digit range - significantly higher prices are often dubious.

If you live in a dormitory of the Studierendenwerk Dortmund, please also note this information.

If you lose a key to a locking system (e.g. house and apartment door), the landlord can demand the replacement of the entire system, which can be expensive. It is therefore important to report the loss immediately.

Depending on the suspected location of the loss, the lost and found office of TU Dortmund University and/or the lost and found office of the City of Dortmund should be contacted, as the key may have been handed in there.

The following applies to acute problems in the home:

• In case of fire, call the fire department on 112.
• In the event of water damage, turn off the water (if possible), avoid power sources and document the damage (photos).
• Inform the landlord or property manager immediately.
• In dormitories, contact the janitor, who will usually be on site quickly.

If you live in a dormitory of the Studierendenwerk Dortmund, please also follow this information.

In urgent emergencies that could cause further damage, emergency services (plumbing, electrics) may also be called - however, you should always try to consult the landlord/janitor beforehand so that the often high costs are covered. Early notification is important, otherwise you may be held liable if the damage becomes more serious.

When important documents are lost:

1. Depending on the suspected location of the loss, contact the lost and found office of TU Dortmund University and/or the lost and found office of the City of Dortmund as your ID may have been handed in there.
2. Inform the police and, if necessary, file a complaint (especially in the case of theft).
3. Identity card/passport: apply for a new one at the Residents' Registration Office.
4. Non-EU passports: apply for replacement documents via your own embassy or consulate.
5. For residence permits (visa, residence permit): inform the foreigners authority immediately.
   Important: report lost documents quickly, as misuse (e.g. identity theft) must be prevented.

There are various contact points that can provide advice and support in financial emergencies. Further information can be found here.

At TU Dortmund University, the Equal Opportunities, Diversity & Studies Office (SchuDS) is the central point of contact in the following cases:

• Sexual harassment
• Discrimination of any kind
• Discrimination based on gender, origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation or other characteristics

SchuDS offers confidential advice, support in clarifying the incident and information on rights, options and complaints procedures. Advice is free, impartial, subject to confidentiality and can be provided anonymously if desired.

DoBus (Dortmund Center for Disability and Studies) is TU Dortmund University's central advice center for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses.

DoBus provides support with:

• Individual counseling
• Help with barrier-free study arrangements
• Information on compensation for disadvantages (e.g. extended examination times)
• Support with access to learning materials and events
• Networking with other university facilities
• Group offers and peer support

The services are aimed equally at students with visible and invisible impairments.