Directory A–Z - Rome - page 770

The Italian police is divided into three main bodies: the polizia, who wear navy-blue jackets; the carabinieri, in a
black uniform with a red stripe; and the grey-clad guardia di finanza (fiscal police), responsible for fighting tax evasion
and drug smuggling. If you run into trouble, you're most likely to end up dealing with the polizia or carabinieri .
If you are detained for any alleged offence, you should be given verbal and written notice within 24 hours of the
charges laid against you. You have no right to a phone call upon arrest, but you can choose not to respond to questions
without the presence of a lawyer.
Rome's police station (Questura; 06 4 68 61; http://questure.poliziadistato.it ; Via San Vitale 15;
8.30am-11.30pm Mon-Fri, 3-5pm Tue & Thu) , the police administrative headquarters, is just off Via Nazionale.

Drink & Drugs
Under Italian law there's no distinction between hard and soft drugs, so cannabis is effectively on the same legal footing
as cocaine, heroin and ecstasy. If you're caught with what the police deem to be a dealable quantity, you risk a prison
sentence of between six and 20 years. The offence of possession for personal use is punishable by administrative sanc-
tions (such as suspension of your driving licence), which may have a duration of up to one year.
The legal limit for a driver's blood-alcohol reading is 0.05%.

Medical Services
Italy has a public health system that is legally bound to provide emergency care to everyone. EU nationals are entitled to
reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical care with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), available from your home
health authority - you can usually apply for it online. Non-EU citizens should take out medical insurance.
For emergency treatment, you can go to the pronto soccorso (casualty) section of an ospedale (public hospital). For
less serious ailments call the Guardia Medica ( 06 7730 6650; Via Emilio Morosini 30) .
A more convenient course, if you have insurance and can afford to pay up front, would be to call a private doctor to
come to your hotel or apartment. Try Roma Medica (

338 6224832; call out & treatment fee €150; 24hr) or the

International Medical Centre ( 06 488 23 71; Via Firenze 47; call out & treatment fee €140; 24hr) .

Pharmacists will serve prescriptions and can provide basic medical advice.
If you need an ambulance, call 118.

Emergency Rooms

Ospedale Bambino Gesù ( 06 6 85 91; www.ospedalebambinogesu.it ; Piazza di Sant'Onofrio 4) Rome's premier
children's hospital, but be warned, the emergency section is very busy.

Ospedale di Odontoiatria G Eastman ( 06 84 48 31; Viale Regina Elena 287b) For emergency dental treatment.

Ospedale Fatebene- fratelli ( 06 6 83 71; www.fatebenefratelli-isolatiberina.it ; Piazza Fatebenefratelli, Isola Tiber-

ina)

Ospedale San Camillo Forlanini ( 06 5 87 01; www.scamilloforlanini.rm.it ; Circonvallazione Gianicolense 87)

Ospedale San Giovanni ( 06 7 70 51; http://portale.hsangiovanni.roma.it ; Via Amba Aradam 9)

Ospedale Santo Spirito ( 06 6 83 51; Lungotevere in Sassia 1) Near the Vatican.

Policlinico Umberto I ( 06 4 99 71; www.policlinicoumberto1.it ; Viale del Policlinico 155) Near Stazione Termini.