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Future of the healthcare system: Saxony-Anhalt needs skilled workers!
Experts are calling for a modern health system for Saxony-Anhalt by 2035 in order to respond to the shortage of skilled workers and population decline.
Future of the healthcare system: Saxony-Anhalt needs skilled workers!
Health care in Germany is constantly changing and the challenges are growing. Steffi Suchant, the head of the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) in Saxony-Anhalt, has taken a clear position. She calls for a “Target 2035” for the hospital landscape that includes not only inpatient care, but the entire health system. “Emergency care must be guaranteed close to home,” says Suchant, who also points out the urgent need for additional specialists. Forecasts show an impending population decline that could have a major impact on health care planning.
In order to optimally overcome the challenges, cross-sector planning becomes essential. This should better integrate outpatient and inpatient care and include technologies such as telemedicine and tele-emergency doctors. These medical innovations could lead to a modern healthcare system for the future, especially in rural regions. Loud Medical association The healthcare sector in Germany is now one of the largest and fastest-growing industries, which represents a good basis for future developments.
Shortage of skilled workers in the health sector
The numbers speak for themselves: Germany is facing a serious shortage of skilled workers. There is currently a shortage of around 11,000 doctors, and in the coming years the shortage of nursing staff could rise to an alarming 500,000. This is likely to affect not only inpatient but also outpatient care. In addition, a significant proportion of the medical profession will retire by 2035, further exacerbating the situation. A new strategy is urgently needed to counteract this.
Health spending rose to around 474 billion euros in 2022, which corresponds to 13.1% of Germany's gross domestic product. For comparison: in 2010, health spending was only 9.5% of GDP. And it is predicted that the healthcare market will grow to over 600 billion euros by 2030. This highlights the need for sustainable planning in the healthcare sector.
Technological innovations
Digitalization also plays a key role. The use of electronic patient records (ePA) is expected to be widespread by 2025, although less than 2% of the population currently uses them. Telemedicine has already taken a leap: over 5 million video consultations were carried out in 2023, while only 3,000 were recorded in 2019. This shows the enormous potential that lies in digital medicine.
The healthcare sector is in transition. The hospital landscape has reduced from 2,400 hospitals in 1991 to around 1,850 today, while bed capacity has remained relatively stable. These developments raise questions about what future supply scenarios might look like and how technological possibilities can be meaningfully integrated.
The coming years will be crucial in finding future-oriented solutions and meeting the growing demands in healthcare. The need for a thoughtful, diverse approach is clear. A well-coordinated, modern healthcare system could be the key to ensuring good medical care even in rural areas.