 The GP service is delivered and maintained by an organisation known as the "Kassenärztliche Vereinigung" (Union of Health Fund Approved Physicians) and is usually only used for minor illnesses (i.e.fever, common cold), where a hospital stay is not necessary but the intervention of a physician may be advisable.The availability of this service provides a better treatment option to those patients who, in other EMS systems, might generate low-acuity ambulance calls or emergency department visits.