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Nursing staff demand: introduce freedom when administering medication now!
The ÖGKV criticizes delays in the administration of medication for nursing staff in Vienna and calls for clear regulations for more competencies.
Nursing staff demand: introduce freedom when administering medication now!
The Health and Nursing Association (ÖGKV) sharply criticizes the measures that are still outstanding to implement the expansion of skills for qualified nursing staff in administering medication, which was decided in July 2024. A central problem is the medication list that has not yet been negotiated between the ÖGKV and the medical association, which is seen as the main reason for the delays. However, the Ministry of Health is optimistic and hopes for an early consensus to solve this problem.
ÖGKV Vice President Inge Köberl-Hiebler emphasizes that the medical association's veto is hindering progress. “The medical association is standing in the way,” she says and warns that the legislature should provide clearer guidelines to enable nursing staff to be prepared to administer medication. The Ministry of Health supports the plan to allow nursing staff to prescribe medical devices and medicines in the future. This regulation is intended not only to reduce bureaucracy, but also to increase efficiency in care.
Delays and blockages
The ÖGKV has already presented comprehensive lists of medicines, but these were rejected by the medical association because they went beyond the legal requirements. The ministry has now asked the ÖGKV to create a legally compliant list and to continue discussions with the medical association. The goal is to reach a sustainable consensus in order to implement the regulations in a practical manner.
The original plan was to implement the new regulation by September 1, 2024. The current delays are classified as incomprehensible. The innovation aims to give qualified nursing staff more skills, especially when it comes to over-the-counter medications. Currently, caregivers must obtain a prescription from a doctor for over-the-counter medications, which is considered extremely burdensome in both nursing homes and home health care settings.
Criticism and political reactions
The Green Party has heavily criticized the Medical Association and the government parties for their blockade and is demanding equal rights for nursing professions as for medical-technical services. A corresponding application to expand the prescriptive rights for nursing staff was postponed in the Social Committee. These developments shed light on the challenges facing the care sector in Austria and underline the urgent need for reforms in the healthcare system.