As Israel’s hospitals struggle with overcrowding and staff shortages, an innovative program by the country’s largest volunteer emergency medical services (EMS) organization is helping to ease the burden on emergency departments nationwide.

United Hatzalah, known for its network of more than 8,000 volunteer first responders who provide free emergency medical services throughout Israel, runs a unique project that deploys specially trained volunteer medics who work alongside hospital staff in emergency departments.

The United Hatzalah Emergency Room (ER) Project, supported by The Ted Arison Foundation, operates in 25 hospitals nationwide with more than 500 dedicated volunteer medics who, in addition to responding to emergency calls, commit to weekly hospital shifts and assist with various medical tasks including monitoring vital signs, taking blood samples, and managing intravenous infusions. To prepare for these responsibilities, they undergo extensive training, including a Ministry of Health-approved phlebotomy course with 48 hours of instruction and 100 supervised procedures.

The project has shown significant growth in recent years, with volunteers now contributing more than 4,000 monthly hours across emergency departments countrywide. According to United Hatzalah, volunteer shifts have increased from 6,601 in 2023 to 11,111 in 2024, with average shift durations extending from 3.9 to 4.5 hours.

The project proved especially crucial following the October 7 attacks, when hospital emergency departments faced an unprecedented surge of casualties. Volunteer medics in United Hatzalah’s ER program provided around-the-clock support to hospital staff treating waves of injured civilians and soldiers, particularly in southern Israel’s medical facilities.

Today, the initiative operates in Israel’s major medical centers across the country, including Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv (Ichilov), Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer, Rambam Hospital in Haifa, Ziv Medical Center in Safed and Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon.

“The ER Project represents a win-win for Israel’s healthcare system,” said Eli Beer, Founder and President of United Hatzalah. “I’m incredibly proud of our volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise in emergency rooms, which strengthens hospital staff, helps patients, and gives our medics even more skills to save lives.”

Photo credit – United Hatzalah