Clinics in Dessau-Roßlau: Risk of bankruptcy threatens medical care!

Clinics in Dessau-Roßlau: Risk of bankruptcy threatens medical care!

In the city of Dessau-Roßlau, it has been bubbling at the financial front of the clinic for some time. The administrative top and the city council have trusted hospital managers for too long, which has now led to a bitter loss of around 60 million euros within a few years. The clinic offers comprehensive medical care for around 75,000 inhabitants of the city and employs around 2,000 people. But the legitimate question arises: is such a large clinic company not oversized for a city of this size?

Russia is not only very concerned about the future of municipal hospitals in Dessau-Roßlau. A similar picture is shown in the neighboring district of Anhalt-Bitterfeld. Here the birth clinic at the Bitterfeld-Wolfen health center was revived after major financial efforts. However, this location is also dependent on the support of the district, which apparently does not have the financial means to permanently promote the clinic. This is alarming for the health of the population, especially though, despite all the adversities, new employees will continue to be discontinued, even though the state administrative office has requested HR reduction.

financial challenges nationwide

The difficulties with which the municipal hospitals are faced with Dessau-Roßlau are reflected in the entire Federal Republic. According to the Ärzteblatt there are a total of 539 municipal hospitals in Germany. These facilities are not only important medical providers, but also valued employers and objects of identification for the regions. Nevertheless, the financial deficits that have to be compensated for by the municipalities are increasing - even if this is not provided for by law. Such a system cannot be durable in the long run, especially since the federal states have been neglecting investments in hospitals for decades.

In this context, the federal government plans fundamental changes through a hospital reform. In cities such as Frankfurt and Berlin, clinic operators are already complaining to the loss compensation. A clear indication of how tense the financial situation is in many municipalities. Especially in North Rhine-Westphalia there are reports on deficits in cities such as Bielefeld, Dortmund and Cologne, which brings the problem even closer to our region.

The future of hospital financing

An interesting approach to improve the situation offers the introduction of the DRG system. According to the Federal Ministry of Health , the remuneration for somatic treatments is supported by this system, which reimburses the treatment costs of health insurance companies. Nevertheless, false incentives must also be avoided here, which in the past led to the fact that medically not necessary interventions were carried out. It is obvious that economic pressure on the clinics continues and the medical staff is frustrated.

Ultimately, the planned hospital reform, which focuses on the securing of needs -proof institutions, also becomes a significant contribution to relieving the hospitals. A good knack in the financial administration is now required to ensure medical care and jobs in the future.