Head of medical association threatens longer practice closures
Many surgeries remain closed between the years in protest. Federal Health Minister Lauterbach, however, shows no understanding for demands for more money. This in turn infuriates the head of the medical association, Heinrich.
The Virchow Association of General Practitioners has threatened even longer practice closures for the new year if there is no rapprochement with Health Minister Karl Lauterbach. After the three-day protest action this week, doctors will be back "as usual for their patients" from January 2, said chairman Dirk Heinrich in the Rheinische Post newspaper. "However, if there is no movement at the summit with the minister on January 9, the practices will close for a whole week afterwards. We reserve the right to do so."
Doctors' associations had called for practices across the country to be closed in protest between the years. The action, which is planned until this Friday, is part of the "Practice in Need" campaign. One of the demands is to put an end to "budgets" with maximum fees for all specialist groups. In addition, a repealed regulation with extra fees for new patients in practices should be reintroduced. There are also complaints about overwork and too much bureaucracy. The Virchowbund reckoned that tens of thousands of practices would be closed. They were called upon to provide cover for emergencies.
Association head Heinrich accused Lauterbach of preferring to instigate "envy debates" rather than "rectifying the injustices in the current remuneration system". "Doctors in private practice do not earn as much as the minister suggests," he said.
In view of the protests, the Minister of Health had held out the prospect of better working conditions, but rejected demands for more money. "With the exception of Switzerland, nowhere else in Europe do doctors earn as much as in Germany," said the SPD politician on ZDF television. "I don't see any scope for fee increases." Practices need less bureaucracy and money must be distributed more fairly. Specifically, the "crisis summit" in January will focus on better conditions, especially for GPs.
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The Virchow Association, led by Karl Lauterbach's critic, Heinrich, has announced potential extended closures of doctors' practices in January if negotiations with Lauterbach fail. Despite promising improved working conditions, Lauterbach has rejected calls for increased funding for doctors.
Source: www.ntv.de
