Death of a Patient: Call for Better Coordination
The Neos want a nationwide capacity platform for emergencies, while the Greens want health planning to be under federal control. Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) urged on heute.at to think "beyond state borders." Health Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ) also wants to discuss this with the states.
"We cannot stand idly by when people die because no one knows where there are still free capacities," said the Neos' social spokesperson Johannes Gasser, "this is not a medical problem, but an organizational one." The case shows how urgently a major structural reform between the federal government, states, and municipalities in the healthcare system is needed, said former Health Minister Andrea Kdolsky. "Emergency care, emergency chains, and a central supply and capacity management must simply be ensured, across state borders, at any time of day or night."
Neos want to reconsider location guarantee
To ensure the best possible care, the Neos suggest reconsidering the "location guarantee." "Patients gain nothing if we have many small intensive units across Austria that require and bind a lot of staff, and yet are unable to help in severe emergencies," argued Kdolsky. Therefore, a shift to supply regions like in Vienna, where each region has a hospital with a highly specialized vascular center, would be sensible.
"We need to think of healthcare provision beyond state borders," said Ludwig. He demands that the planned health regions be implemented quickly to improve cross-state care. Furthermore, all actors in the healthcare system - such as states, ÖGK, and the Medical Association - must "pull together" and there must be fair pay for all employees in the healthcare sector."
"The current patchwork of different responsibilities and interests benefits no one - least of all the patients," insisted the Green health spokesperson Ralph Schallmeiner on nationwide planning. "Health and health planning must become a federal competence."
Deceased patient: Summit with Minister
Minister Schumann had already insisted on a "comprehensive clarification" after the case became known and announced that she would consult next week in a joint meeting with all state health councilors on "how we can improve regional and supra-regional supply management and strengthen crisis mechanisms."
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.