Central hospitals: The dispute over the care in the Murtal escalates!

Central hospitals: The dispute over the care in the Murtal escalates!

A change in Styrian healthcare is emerging: The construction of the new lead hospital in Stainach is due to political changes in the air and is focused on another centralization project. Erich Schaflinger, chairman of the coordination committee for security of supply, pleads for the establishment of a central hospital in the Mur Valley, since the existing locations in Knittelfeld, Judenburg and Stolzalpe are considered "too much". Gerhard Stark, the new CEO of the Kages, agrees with this demand and emphasizes the need to focus on modern medical developments. He describes the current state of affairs as inadequate, whereby a comprehensive reform of the hospital structures in Styria seems inevitable. "A guiding hospital is only a possible solution, but until it becomes reality, ten years can pass," says Stark, who stimulates to think about central hospitals.

changes in patient care

A first episode of this discussion is the planned move of the surgical accident outpatient clinic from LKH Bruck to Leoben, which is to be implemented from mid -January 2023. This measure aims to improve the quality of care by integrating the accident outpatient clinic into a center that combines various surgical disciplines. It strongly emphasizes that patients would benefit enormously from such a bundled care - especially in emergencies, such as a bicycle accident that requires different medical disciplines. In addition, a small acute bump is preserved in Bruck, which cares for more treated injuries.

The reactions to these reform plans are tense: the SPÖ vowed vehemently against the closure, although the decision to move was made by the responsible bodies in June 2022. "This is not an emergency, but a planned intervention," emphasizes the Kages.

Gerhard Stark took over the management of the Kages on December 1, 2021 and is a promising choice due to his extensive experience in the healthcare industry. Health Councilor Juliane Bogner-Strauß particularly appreciates his outstanding ability to combine medical knowledge and human experience. Stark himself sees his role as an assignment to navigate with continuity through the challenging times of pandemic and to ensure that the Styrians are probably noted in the report of health care.at.

These rapid developments in the Styrian health sector underline the urgent need for action and hope for a modern, efficient care situation for all patients in the country.

More on this can be found at orf.at and Gesundheitswirtschaft.at .