Dispute Over Guest Patients: Lower Austria's Patient Advocate Criticises Vienna's Approach

According to Prunbauer, the majority of cases have been long-planned orthopaedic procedures. It is particularly criticisable that many patients who have been waiting for a long time are simply told to look for a surgery date in their home province, according to the written statement.

Vienna Wants Separate Waiting Lists for Guest Patients: Prunbauer Detects "Degrading Procedure"

Vienna had agreed to the financial equalisation, Prunbauer noted in the discussion about costs: "Apparently, they are dissatisfied with their own negotiation result and are now carrying this on the backs of the patients." In addition, Lower Austrians contribute to the value creation in the federal capital through their employment. Vienna has committed itself within the framework of the Patient Charter to ensure health care services for all patients in a timely manner, regardless of their origin. The rejection is "legally not in order" and not covered by the federal framework law.

"Apart from the personal fates, the trust of the population in the public health system also suffers from this procedure, which is degrading in several respects," Prunbauer explained. The mere announcement of wanting to maintain separate surgery waiting lists according to residence or to set upper limits for guest patients "is unethical and contradicts the goal of the best possible public health care". Prunbauer demanded on Wednesday the adherence to the agreements and federal legal requirements, i.e. a "guarantee of comprehensive public health care regardless of the place of residence". Furthermore, patients should be "ranked solely according to medical urgency".

(APA/Red.)

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