The advanced care centres have been criticised for not being equipped to properly examine patients.
On Tuesday, several doctors told RTL the care centres could not accurately diagnose patients with other conditions, as they lacked vital diagnostic equipment such as ultrasounds, EKGs, or urine tests.
In response, Hertz said the care centres were not intended to replace hospitals, rather relieving the burden on existing clinics instead.
If during an examination, a doctor were to decide further diagnostics were needed, there was always the option to refer the patient elsewhere for more detailed tests.
One of the doctors interviewed highlighted the fact that the Rockhal care centre in Esch-sur-Alzette had already partially ceased admitting such patients. Hertz responded that it was clear the centres must continue to accommodate other patients where possible, but when confronted with a large influx of potential coronavirus patients, the centres will reorganise accordingly.
This was the case at the Rockhal, where a large number of patients showing symptoms of Covid-19 were admitted, increasing the need for doctors in that sector. However, Hertz stressed that a nurse was still available to see non-urgent patients and doctors could be called in when required. In this period of crisis, an increasing number of people are in need of psychological care for anxiety, depression or for alcohol dependence problems. Psychologists have therefore been present at the care centres since last Wednesday, in order to welcome these people, explained Hertz.
