Shock in the Gailtalklinik: Lack of Personnel endangers patient care!

Shock in the Gailtalklinik: Lack of Personnel endangers patient care!

The Gailtalklinik in Hermagor is currently affected by an acute lack of personnel that leads to serious concerns about health care in the Gailtal. According to Gailtal Journal , the clinic is currently not taking up any new patients. This does not officially happen by an admission stop, but the capacities have to be reduced due to diseases of the nursing staff.

dr. Jörg Weber, the department board of neurology, expresses his concern about the current situation. The lack of nursing staff and additional illness -related absences lead to uncertainties for patient care. Although a sufficient number of rehab beds are still available for the region's patients, patients with lighter diseases must expect longer waiting times. The transfer of acute patients is currently to be transferred to the LKH Villach and the Klagenfurt Clinic to maintain medical care.

challenges in rural health care

The acute lack of staff in the Gailtalklinik is part of a major problem in health care for rural areas. According to Federal Center for Political Education , medical and nursing care in rural regions is often not sufficient. There are fewer health supply facilities compared to urban centers, which leads to long travel routes for patients. Older people in rural areas in particular have a higher burden of illness and need more access to medical care.

The outpatient care takes place mainly by homeland and specialists as well as psychotherapists, whereby the demand planning is regulated by the guidelines of medical self-government. An inadequate medical presence in rural regions means that many are endangered by adolescence, which restricts access to essential supply areas such as geriatrics and pediatrics.

• In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, 10,500 children and adolescents live more than 20 km from the next pediatrician.
• general practitioners often take care of children in rural areas.
• geriatric patients often need care close to home due to limited mobility.

The situation in the Gailtalklinik is an example of the challenges that rural hospitals have to deal with. While innovative care concepts, such as cooperation between home and specialists and telemedical offers, are offered as a solution, the pressure on such small facilities is high. The higher costs per power in smaller facilities, combined with the need for cost -efficient and at the same time achievable supply, represent a constant challenge.