100. Primary Care Unit Opens

In July, three new primary care units will open in Austria. This will increase their number nationwide to 100, as Health Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ) highlighted on Friday in a press conference with representatives of social insurance and the states. It was emphasized that the availability of such care centers or networks has increased significantly in recent years. Further expansion is planned, and new funding is still being negotiated.

Vienna first state with primary care unit

The first primary care unit was opened in Vienna in 2015. Since then, the facilities, where interprofessional collaboration takes place, have gradually increased. The three upcoming new additions are located in Stubai, Bad Ischl, and Graz-Liebenau. Today's press conference took place at the Children's and Youth Health Center Leuchtturm in Seestadt Aspern in Vienna.

There, in addition to pediatricians, people from the fields of psychotherapy, dietetics, or social work are employed. "This is an example of how well the system works," said Schumann. The model offers great opportunities and is also characterized by opening hours "that are really great." She predicted that the number of PCUs could rise to up to 130 this year.

Hacker sees success

The chairman of the Austrian Health Insurance Fund, Peter McDonald, also pointed out that the centers would offer free and high-quality access to healthcare even outside of conventional office hours. Up to 14 professional groups, he emphasized, are represented in primary care facilities. For Vienna's City Councilor for Health, Peter Hacker (SPÖ), these centers are also a way to compensate for the decline in health insurance-provided care.

"There are fewer and fewer doctors who want to run a practice on their own," he noted. The model is a success. 150,000 patients are now counted there annually in Vienna. But their number is also increasing in rural areas, as Salzburg's State Councilor for Health, Daniela Gutschi (ÖVP), highlighted. There, the units are also essential for care.

"It would be good if we could continue the funding"

Minister Schumann pointed out that the expansion was successful, among other things, due to funding. A total of 100 million euros was available for this purpose. Up to 1.5 million euros could be raised for a new establishment. However, the funds are almost exhausted, as was stated today.

"It would be good if we could continue the funding," said the deputy chairman of the ÖGK, Andreas Huss. He announced that there will be discussions about this. The goal remains to establish at least 300 primary care units by 2030.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.