Specialist consultations

E-consultations

West Tallinn Central Hospital offers GPs the opportunity to request e-consultations in the following specialties:

• Endocrinology
• Endoprosthetics
• Gastroenterology
• Gynaecology
• Infectious Diseases
• Cardiology
• Dermatology and Venereology
• Nephrology
• Neurology
• Orthopaedics
• Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
• Proctology
• Pulmonology
• Radiology
• Rheumatology
• Medical rehabilitation
• Urology
• General surgery.

For any enquiries regarding e-consultations, please contact: kvaliteet@keskhaigla.ee

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E-consultation referrals for proctology patients

A proctologist is a doctor who specialises in the surgical treatment of diseases of the colon, rectum and anus.

Indicate in the referral:

1. Patient history and symptoms
Pain, bleeding or mucus discharge. Stool consistency Bristol Stool Chart.
Onset of symptoms. Concomitant conditions. Previous examinations of the large intestine.

2. Clinical findings

2.1. External examination. External masses or lesions. Skin condition — redness, whitish patches or discolouration. Visible perianal defects — suspected external anal fistula. External lesions — thrombosis, etc.

2.2. Digital rectal examination
Anal sphincter tone — spasm or reduced tone. Correlation with the patient’s symptoms.
Internal haemorrhoids — soft, firm, painful or painless.
Other abnormal findings on palpation. Any abnormal tissue detected on palpation. Any unclear findings.

When referring for rectoscopy, the patient should prepare with two Microlax enemas. If a colonoscopy has recently been performed, rectoscopy is usually not indicated and the examination can be limited to anoscopy. In this case, one Microlax enema a couple of hours before the appointment is sufficient.

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Physiotherapist appointments

GPs can refer patients to rehabilitation through various funding models.

Therapy fund services

West Tallinn Central Hospital offers independent physiotherapy appointments with a referral from a GP or specialist (referral for outpatient care). The service is provided in accordance with the contract volume agreed with the Estonian Health Insurance Fund.

Services offered:

• Physiotherapy, individual session (duration 30 minutes), code 7050. The treatment plan may include a total appointment time of 60 minutes (2 × 30 minutes).
• Physiotherapy, group session (duration 30 minutes), code 7052.
• Remote group physiotherapy via video (duration 30 minutes), code 7067.
• Group physiotherapy in the pool (duration 30 minutes), code 7057. A 30-minute session is recorded in the treatment plan.

GPs can refer patients to rehabilitation through various funding models.

Services for which we invoice the Health Insurance Fund directly:

• RReferral to an appointment with a rehabilitation physician. The rehabilitation physician will prescribe the necessary procedures. Active procedures are mostly financed by the Health Insurance Fund, while passive ones are paid for by the patient. Appointments can be booked by calling 626 1314.
• Referral to an e-consultation with a rehabilitation physician.
• Referral to an independent physiotherapy appointment. We prioritise patients referred by specialists at West Tallinn Central Hospital. During the first half of the year, due to limited contract volumes, patients with a referral from a GP are not registered.

Services for which the patient pays:

• Paid procedures for specialised equipment-based treatments.

Therapy fund services

The invoice is sent to the GP practice. The referral must state the service and the number of sessions.

• Massage session for a patient with moderate or severe central or peripheral paresis (duration 30 minutes), code 7011.
• Mud therapy session for patients with rheumatoid polyarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (Bechterew disease), and pronounced joint stiffness, code 7022.
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Outpatient consultations with an internal medicine specialist

West Tallinn Central Hospital has opened an outpatient clinic for internal medicine specialists. The most common issues an internal medicine specialist manages include fevers of unknown origin, cardiovascular diseases, venous thrombosis, the diagnosis of anaemia, and patients with suspected tumours. An internal medicine specialist helps prevent disease progression, prescribes treatment for various conditions, and assists in adjusting therapy if previous treatments have not achieved the desired results.

In addition, day care services are available within Internal Medicine Department II. Here, alongside other therapeutic procedures, long-acting intravenous iron can be administered for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia, if required. Patients may be referred for day care treatment by an internal medicine specialist during their consultation.

A referral from a GP or specialist is required for an appointment.

Appointments can be booked by calling the reception desk at 626 1314, via the online health portal, or in person at West Tallinn Central Hospital clinics and health centres. Phone service is available Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6pm.

Consultations are held at the Merimetsa Health Centre (Merimetsa Polyclinic), Paldiski mnt 68a, 3rd floor.

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Ordering X-rays and ultasounds

With the transition to a new imaging system, a new classification for radiological studies has been introduced. Due to this system, it is no longer possible to request multiple areas (e.g., lung and leg, or both knees) on a single referral. A separate referral must be issued for each anatomical area. Radiologists will record the relevant classifier when reporting the study.

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Colon cancer screening

The Gastroenterology Department conducts colonoscopy as part of the national colon cancer screening programme. To book an appointment, please call 651 1471 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm). When you book an appointment, please indicate that it is for screening purposes.

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Emergency nephrology consultations

The Nephrology Department provides emergency consultations with a nephrologist. To book an emergency appointment, please call 651 1464 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 9am). Please note: as it may not be possible to answer the phone during consultations, please call again later if there is no answer.

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Nutritionist

We recommend booking an appointment with a nutritionist if you:

• have a body weight above or below a healthy range (early intervention in cases of excess weight often leads to better outcomes)
• have health indicators such as blood sugar, cholesterol, or acid levels approaching or exceeding recommended limits
• experience repeated weight fluctuations due to restrictive diets (yo-yo effect)
• wish to improve your health by making sustainable changes to your eating and exercise habits
• would like to learn more about healthy and balanced nutrition

You will find more information here.

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Diabetes Nurse appointment

The diabetes nurse provides specialist care to patients with diabetes, including:

• review of treatment plans and support with diabetes self-management
• ongoing monitoring of health status
• education and guidance to support effective diabetes management

You will find more information here.

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Diabetic foot care

The diabetic foot clinic provides specialist care for patients in the following situations:

• a person with diabetes who has ulcers on the leg/feet
• a person with diabetes who has a history of leg/foot ulcers
• a person with diabetes who has bone deformities in the foot that increase the risk of ulcers
• a person with leg ulcers caused by other conditions (e.g., venous ulcers)

You will find more information here.

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Home nursing

Home nurses from West Tallinn Central Hospital provide nursing care at patients’ homes across Tallinn. This service is free of charge for patients covered by the Health Insurance Fund.

You will find more information here.

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Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy services are available for patients aged 5 years and older.

‍You will find more information here.