Care crisis in Saxony-Anhalt: Danger for clinics and patients!

Care crisis in Saxony-Anhalt: Danger for clinics and patients!

In Saxony-Anhalt, the associated challenges in the health sector are causing a lot of discussion. More and more clinics are being forced to close or are coming under enormous pressure. mdr.de reports that the Helios Clinic in Zerbst, for example, is experiencing difficulties.

According to the current figures, the available beds and the number of clinics are already falling below the level before the corona pandemic. The large hospitals are increasingly taking on complex services, while smaller facilities are shifting their focus to outpatient care. This shift is also reflected in the financial conditions, as many locations rely on security surcharges, which indicates a precarious situation.

Challenges and options for the future

The main reasons for the ongoing challenges in the hospital landscape are low case numbers, ever-increasing cost pressure due to rising energy costs and, last but not least, the acute shortage of staff. In order to make the nursing professions attractive again, better collective bargaining agreements are being discussed. But even if changes are made, further closures, especially of smaller clinics, cannot be ruled out.

A total of 50 billion euros are available to hospitals from the transformation fund for hospital reforms. The increased efforts are particularly important for rural regions, where people often have to struggle with limited treatment options and long transport routes. Not only can this reduce satisfaction with healthcare, but it can also pose health risks as long journeys to medical care can increase mortality rates, particularly in emergencies.

However, the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Health and Equality emphasizes that there is currently no discussion about closures. Instead, the need for stronger collaborative networks between different service providers is highlighted. According to Steffi Suchant from the Techniker Krankenkasse, a “target image for 2035” is required for the hospital landscape, which should better link inpatient and outpatient care.

Digital solutions for healthcare

Digital transformation, particularly the promotion of telemedicine in less populated areas, is seen as the key to the solution. Innovative concepts such as mobile healthcare providers and collaborations between general practitioners and specialists could be a ray of hope in the area of ​​healthcare. In rural regions, where specialized care services are often lacking, these approaches could make a decisive contribution to improving the situation.

Medical and nursing care is an essential part of public services, and the population expects high-quality services regardless of where they live. However, in many rural areas the availability of doctors and specialized facilities is limited, which leads to long journeys. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, for example, 10,500 children and young people live more than 20 kilometers from the nearest pediatrician, which represents a serious challenge.

The discussion about health care is more topical than ever, not only in Saxony-Anhalt, but in many rural regions of Germany. It is time to find solutions that take into account not only economic aspects, but also the needs of the people who rely on these services.