New primary care units in Wels: One step against a shortage of doctors

New primary care units in Wels: One step against a shortage of doctors

In an important initiative to improve health care, the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) in cooperation with the state of Upper Austria and the Upper Austria Medical Association has announced that he actively counteract the shortage of doctors in Wels. In the coming year, two new primary care units (PVE) will open in the city, which are intended to offer the population better accessible health care.

Albert Maringer, chairman of the ÖGK state office committee in Upper Austria, explained that these new institutions will expand the existing network of eleven primary care units in Upper Austria. "This creates a sustainable offer that specifically responds to the needs of people in the region," says Maringer.

Details of the new supply centers

The first primary care center, Wels St. Anna, will be opened on January 1, 2025. Here an interdisciplinary team that consists of four doctors and specialists from physiotherapy, clinical psychology, psychotherapy, social work and speech therapy will be intensive. The second center, Wels St. Stephan, will start at the end of 2025 with a six-member health team. Elisabeth Manhal, member of the state parliament of the ÖVP, was optimistic that these measures will not only modernize the supply landscape, but also relieve the employees in the existing hospitals.

The importance of these new openings becomes particularly clear through the current challenges in the health sector. Wolfgang Ziegler, Curium chairman of the resident doctors in the Upper Austria Medical Association, noticed: "The two new PVE in Wels are now bringing a noticeable improvement", especially in a district where there were a total of seven vacant domestic subjects until October 1, 2024. This is a significant step to ensure medical care in the region.

support from the city

Klaus Schinninger, Vice Mayor of Wels and Health Officer, said that the city is not only active in financial support for the settlement of the new units, but also wants to ensure that the supply is guaranteed in the long term. In addition to primary care, the Wels-Grieskirchen Clinic will offer another opportunity for general medical care.

The development of these new primary care centers is closely related to the growing need for medical care in Wels. The initiators hope that these measures not only increase the number of doctors available, but also significantly increase the quality of the care for all Welser. Further information is in a report on www.meinbezirk.at find.