Brazen in winter: Hamburg's homeless sick sick must be better cared for

Brazen in winter: Hamburg's homeless sick sick must be better cared for

Friesenstraße, 22459 Hamburg, Deutschland - In Hamburg, medical care faces homeless people with enormous challenges. Again and again these patients are released into the cold after a hospital stay without organizing adequate aftercare. Recently there were alarming cases: a homeless man had to wait over an hour before the emergency room in the cold winter air until he was brought to an emergency accommodation, and another woman was passed on by facility to set up before she finally had to go to the hospital again. Like ndr now plans to talk to the Hamburg hospitals to improve the handover points for such patients.

Homeless people treated in Hamburg hospitals often have difficulty finding a clear transition to aftercare. This problem is repeatedly denounced by social workers because there are not enough needs -based care offers for many patients. While the sick room is constantly busy with its only 20 seats, many are not adequately looked after even after acute treatments. The Hamburg Senate has therefore decided that in the future the hospitals should transfer directly to a specialized institution for homeless people. Medical spectrum to support patients on social issues and to organize suitable aftercare. This service not only coordinates dismissal, but also helps with access to necessary social law services.

Currently, around 1,100 homeless people were treated by the Hamburg clinics by November 2024, but many remain on unpaid bills, since the cost bearers often cite controversial legal regulations. This situation makes it clear how important a better organization of medical and social help is, especially in the cold season, in which the risk of freezing is particularly high for many homeless people. In the next few days, the talks between the social authority and the hospitals will begin to fix these serious grievances.