Left demands polyclinics: more health for Thuringia!

Left demands polyclinics: more health for Thuringia!

In the Thuringian state parliament, the current discussions on the double budget are in full swing, and the left faction has formulated clear demands. In particular, it is about the need to create more medical care centers (MVZ) in municipal hands. Group leader Christian Schaft emphasizes the importance of a care that is close to home and needs that relies on the common good -oriented organization. The aim is to offer the municipalities the opportunity to found MVZ and cooperate across district borders. These new regional health centers, described as “Polyclinik 2.0”, are intended to combine home and specialists as well as care and therapy offers under one roof. [Antennen Thuringia] (https://www.antnethueringen.de/p/linke-will- Mehr-polikliniken-in-offenter-hand-hand-hand-hand-hand-hand-hand-hand-hand-hand-hand-hand-to-hand-hand-wuy1ba8ofrhc92) reports that the district of Sonneberg has already been active and the insolvent Medinos clinics has already taken over to convert them into an MVZ.

The financing of such projects could be secured by the federal debt -financed federal investment package, which Thuringia wants to provide around 210 million euros over the next twelve years. Schan demands that at least half of these funds benefit the municipalities as an infrastructure. Successful examples such as the ILM-Kreis clinics that are operated as a non-profit GmbH already show how well such approaches can work.

Medical deficiency as a challenge

But not only in Thuringia, the need for medical care is noticeable. In Saxony, for example, new MVZ are being created, such as the medical supply center Neiße-Weißer Schöps in Krauschwitz, which is to be opened in the immediate vicinity of the Polish border. Mayor Tristan Mühl visits the work and is optimistic: the location should start in July, initially with two general practitioners. Another MVZ will be set up in the neighboring municipality of Rietschen, where both municipalities invest 25,000 euros in a municipal subsidiary to operate the MVZ. [MDR] (https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/deutschland/aerztemangel- Medizinische-verorgungszentrum-kommune 102.html) emphasizes that the medication and treatments can be made more efficient.

The difficulties of settling doctors in rural regions should not be underestimated. Ten general practitioners are already missing, especially in the Altlandkreis Weißwasser, which is very stressful for local medical care. The Saxony Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians also has major problems to get doctors to the region. The hope now lies on the new MVZ, which can reduce many bureaucratic hurdles in a municipal framework and thus create more attractive working conditions.

MVZ at a glance

But what exactly makes this MVZ so attractive for young doctors? Compared to classic practice models, they offer interesting working conditions through the organizational separation of ownership and medical treatment. In this way, doctors can work in an employee relationship and benefit from more flexible working hours. MVZ are established service providers in outpatient care and often offer extensive medical services from a single source. Federal Ministry of Health explains that MVZ can be founded by various providers, including municipalities. The management must be taken over by a doctor who is free of instructions on medical matters.

In times when the shortage of doctors can be felt in many places, the concept of the MVZ could be the key to ensure and improve medical care on site. The positive experiences with existing MVZ and the desire for a return to municipal structures are in the foreground and offer hope for sustainable better health care in the future.