Vienna's Patient Advocate Criticizes Health System

Last year, Vienna's patient advocate was contacted around 9,000 times. About 1,000 general complaints and around 900 allegations of possible treatment errors were recorded. In total, approximately 3.25 million euros in compensation were obtained or paid out. The majority of documented concerns involved municipal or private hospitals.

Vienna's Patient Advocate Sees Staff Shortage as Main Issue

In general, the affected individuals were primarily concerned with one issue, as Jelinek reported: "The main issue was and is the staff shortage." The quality of medical care is "basically fine," he stated. However, there are many complaints about unreasonable waiting times. For planned surgeries, these can sometimes exceed a year, Jelinek described. He also identified significant bottlenecks in the field of psychiatry, especially for children and adolescents.

The increasing life expectancy and the simultaneous wave of retirements in the healthcare system are having an impact. The consequence is that one needs supplementary insurance or has to pay privately if faster appointments are desired. This results in multi-tiered healthcare. The patient advocate therefore called for an increase in the number of doctors and nurses. This cannot happen immediately, he acknowledged, but steps must be taken quickly to counteract it.

He further described the care of patients suffering from Long Covid or ME/CFS as "tragic." The care in both outpatient and inpatient settings is inadequate, Jelinek complained. Interdisciplinary clinics have even been closed. Added to this is the rigid stance of the Pension Insurance Institution (PVA) regarding the examination of social law claims.

Eastern Region Concept and Comprehensive Contract Demanded

According to Jelinek, the number of complaints from so-called guest patients also remained high. People from Lower Austria complain about disadvantages. The patient advocate urged for a unified health plan, both in terms of care and financing. He also sees a need regarding statutory doctors. He criticized the delays in concluding a nationwide comprehensive contract. This is necessary because the current service catalog does not provide an incentive to take over a statutory practice. If this does not happen, there is a risk that more doctors will migrate to the private or elective doctor sector.

Another topic in the complaints was the availability of medications. The area of diabetes is particularly affected here. According to Jelinek, the increasing popularity of the "weight loss injection" has resulted in shortages of medications for diabetes patients. It was positively reported that there is a decrease in complaints about waiting times for radiological examinations. This is likely due to an increase in the number of insurance-funded MRI machines, according to the Nursing and Patient Advocacy.

Opposition holds city accountable after criticism from Vienna's patient advocate

The opposition primarily blamed the city government for the situation - especially Health Councillor Peter Hacker (SPÖ). The crisis is self-inflicted, said Vienna FPÖ councilor Angela Schütz confidently. "While patients with supplementary insurance or deep pockets are given preferential treatment, others have to wait for months." This is not only an untenable situation but could also lead to a dramatic worsening for patients, she noted.

Barbara Huemer, the health spokesperson for the Vienna Greens, also expressed concern: "The report paints a bleak picture of both old and new problems." The healthcare sector resembles a growing, never-ending major construction site. The recommendations must be taken seriously, Huemer stated. She emphasized the rapid financial planning for the eastern region as particularly important.

For the ÖVP, the activity report also documents "alarming" developments. "Instead of just looking for excuses and always blaming others, SPÖ Councillor Hacker must finally ensure real reforms in Vienna's healthcare system based on this report. It is more than time to finally take responsibility," said the acting party chairman Markus Figl.

Medical Association shares criticism from Vienna's patient advocate

The president of the Vienna Medical Association, Johannes Steinhart, shared Jelinek's assessment according to his own statements. He emphasized in a statement that they have been continuously pointing out that the Vienna healthcare system has been suffering from massive capacity problems for years. "The association has already developed new, modern multiprofessional concepts to secure medical care in the long term, which are just waiting to be implemented." The Medical Association is ready with its expertise to further develop healthcare in Vienna as a partner, Steinhart assured.

(APA/Red)

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