Minister calls for more cooperation between hospitals
Brandenburg's Health Minister Ursula Nonnemacher (Greens) does not expect the hospital reform to result in the closure of sites, but is calling for more cooperation. "All hospital locations will continue to be needed as healthcare locations for healthcare provision in a sparsely populated state," said Nonnemacher before a meeting of the federal and state governments on the reform. She warned Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) against overly strict requirements. "We therefore need practicable exemptions and, above all, cooperation." The special situation of the eastern German states must be given greater consideration, as there had already been a structural change there in the 1990s and early 2000s.
At the same time, cooperation between hospitals and doctors in private practice should be strengthened, according to the health minister. The Ministry assumes that next year around one fifth of inpatient hospital services will have to be replaced by outpatient services, for example by doctors in private practice. Brandenburg has 54 hospitals at 66 locations with around 17,700 beds or day places.
Cooperation between hospitals is a key aspect that Minister Nonnemacher emphasizes, as she believes it's crucial for the successful implementation of the hospital reform. Strengthening cooperation with doctors in private practice could potentially replace around one fifth of inpatient hospital services next year.
Source: www.dpa.com
