Hospital reform in Saarland: Hope for better care or great risks?

Hospital reform in Saarland: Hope for better care or great risks?

In Saarland, many hospitals are faced with financial problems and a lack of personnel. A new hospital reform, which was decided on Thursday in the Bundestag, should remedy this. The reform aims to specialize in the clinics, which manhows to increase the quality in the different specialist areas. At the same time, a new financing system is introduced to support this goal.

However, the reactions to the change are mixed. While some welcome the strengthening of competencies, especially in the Marienhaus Klinikum St. Wendel, others are skeptical, in particular with regard to the financial framework during the transition phase until the reform can develop.

criticism of the financing

The financial situation of many hospitals remains a central concern. In St. Wendel, for example, Dr. Tayfun Kaplan, chief physician for internal medicine, optimistic views of the new specialization approaches. The recently opened cardiology station already offers treatments that are not available everywhere. But Lucas Merschbächer from the Marienhaus clinics in the Neunkirchen district warns that the financial framework is not sufficient. "In recent years, the costs have increased by 20 to 30 percent, while the proceeds have only increased by 10 percent," he said. This made it clear, the new regulation, which already provides 60 percent of the remuneration for the provision of certain services, could not be covered.

The Saarland hospital society expresses similar concerns and demands an effect on the reform to find out whether the hospitals can survive from the health insurance companies without additional financial resources. Managing Director Thomas Jakobs warns of the possible breakage of hospital locations because many institutions already write major deficits. The demands include the increase in basic prices for services and inflation compensation.

positive views for specialization

Nevertheless, there are also voices that consider the reform as a step in the right direction. The Saarland Minister of Health Magnus Jung (SPD) praised the decision as necessary. He sees a chance for Saarland in the reform, since important points, such as the use of funds from the transformation fund, are secured. Jung emphasizes, however, that until the next Federal Council meeting, one would like to continue to promote improvements in transition financing.

In the Marienhaus Klinikum St. Wendel, it is assumed that the basic role of the clinic as a focus supplier in Northern Saarland will not be negatively influenced by the reform. Those responsible are optimistic that the new regulations will strengthen medical care in the region in the long term, despite the concerns about financing.

The introduction of the reform and its effects will continue to be followed closely, since the Saarland and its hospital landscape face challenges. The coming weeks will show how politics will respond to the fears and needs of health facilities.

For further information and a detailed view of the reform developments in Saarland, DetailsOrtSt. Wendel, Deutschland