Federal Council move to recall paramedics for military service draws criticism

Switzerland’s Federal Council has changed the military service regulations without consultation, requiring paramedics liable for service to return to the armed forces, Swiss public broadcaster SRF reported. Depending on the canton, the measure could affect up to 50 per cent of emergency medical staff, including in the canton of Jura.

Romuald Cretin, president of the Conference of Associations of Professional Emergency Services and of the Geneva emergency medical services association, said the decision would put further pressure on an already strained system. Emergency services are heavily utilised and already struggle to cover staff absences, he told French-language broadcaster RTS.

Cretin, who has worked as a paramedic for 30 years, said his service employs 74 emergency medical professionals, 13 of whom would be affected. Their military service would amount to the loss of one full-time position each year.

He said he did not believe the change would prevent emergency teams from treating cases such as cardiac arrests. However, it could affect other responses. For example, an ambulance sent to a patient with a femur fracture could be redirected to a more urgent call.

The conference led by Cretin described the decision as arbitrary. The Interassociation for Rescue Services, the umbrella organisation for Switzerland’s medical emergency services, has contacted the Conference of Cantonal Health Directors.

On the political level, Vaud Swiss People’s Party National Councillor Yvan Pahud has submitted a cross-party motion calling on the Federal Council to restore the previous rules. Pahud said the decision would have no effect on army numbers but would have major consequences for the organisation of emergency services. He warned that the absence of a paramedic for 20 or 25 days of military service would complicate planning and make it harder for ambulances to maintain services for the public.