Rescue service north axes: Cost explosion threatens the supply!

Rescue service north axes: Cost explosion threatens the supply!

The emergency services in the district of North Saxony are facing a financial turn: From 2026, impressive 221.5 million euros must be applied to this important sector. This corresponds to an increase of almost 77 percent compared to the previous calculation period, where the expenditure was still around 125 million euros. District Administrator Kai Emanuel describes this sum as extraordinary and underlines the urgency of the situation. It is particularly noteworthy that a cost increase of 29 percent is expected for the period from 2025 to 2026. For Jens Kabisch, the second deputy, the reasons for this increase are determined: the annual cost dynamics in different areas make up a significant part, such as Torgauer Zeitung reports.

The approval of the state associations of the statutory health insurance companies and the German statutory accident insurance for the award proposals indicates that the responsibility for the emergency services remains in familiar hands. However, the providers are not new: Malteser Hilfsdienst gGmbH, DRK-Kreisverband Delitzsch, DRK district association Eilenburg and the Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe are active in the various regions. Falck Emergency Rettung GmbH will continue to work in Oschatz. It is interesting that the DRK district association Torgau-Schatz could not participate in the tender due to the lack of references-they have not been active in the emergency services since 2019.

training and quality in focus

In order to meet the future challenge, uniform qualification standards for employees in the emergency services are to be introduced from 2026. A central contact point for further training and recertification in Delitzsch, which is supported by the Johanniter, is planned. This could help increase the quality of the emergency services in the region. But if you have the current numbers in mind, you quickly realize that this can only be part of the solution. According to the Association of Replacements e. V. (VDEK) has shown in recent years that expenses for emergency care and emergency services have exploded. In 2023, the expenditure was 8.7 billion euros-a doubling ten years ago, as the [VDEK] (https://www.vdek.com/presse/Pressemaytärungen/2024/reform-notfallsupungschrettungs- Einstienst- Einstiebstehnung.html) determined.

Despite high expenses, quality deficits remain a challenge. Ulrike Elsner, CEO of the VDEK, points out how important a high -quality supply is in an emergency. At the same time, it is alarming that a third of the rescue operations do not require a rescue center because they are not real emergencies. This shows that digital networking and better cooperation between the control centers of the emergency services and the medical on -call service are urgently needed.

a clear vision for the future

In order to improve the quality of emergency care, it is crucial to reform and modernize the entire system. A study commissioned by the Björn Steiger Foundation and the Bertelsmann Foundation illuminates various deficits and deficits in the German rescue service system. Not only the processes and organization, but also the cooperation of the various actors are analyzed and possible solutions are presented, as the Steiger Foundation emphasized.

All in all, the upcoming changes in the emergency services are an issue that concerns us all. The increasing costs and the need for efficient emergency care make it clear that there is an urgent need for action here - a good hand is required to ensure the future of medical emergency care in northern Saxony. The coming years will show whether the right steps can be initiated.