The European Commission decided, on 30 November, to reserve two new EU-wide 116 helpline numbers for services of social value. The numbers 116 006 and 116 117 will be reserved for victims of crime and for citizens calling non-emergency medical services, respectively, across the EU. Member states must make sure that the two new numbers can be assigned by national telecoms regulators from 15 April 2010.

The 116 006 will help victims of crime by informing them of their rights and how to use these, while also referring victims to relevant organisations.

SINGLE ACCESS POINT

As a single access point, it will provide information about local police and criminal justice proceedings, possibilities for compensation and insurance matters, and other sources of help for ictims of crime.

The non-emergency medical call service 116 117 will direct callers to medical assistance when the need is urgent but not life-threatening, especially outside normal office hours, during the weekend or public holidays. The aim is to connect the caller to a skilled call-handler or a qualified medical practitioner who could provide on-call medical assistance or advice.

The European Commission decision is an amendment to its Decision 2007/116/EC of 15 February 2007, which reserves three other numbers beginning with 116 EU-wide for services of social value: 116 000 for the missing child hotline, 116 111 for child helplines and 116 123 for emotional support helplines.