On-call practices: KV rejects minister's comments
In the dispute over the announced closure of seven on-call surgeries, the Rhineland-Palatinate Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KV) has accused Health Minister Clemens Hoch of misjudging everyday practice. The minister's comments represented "a disconcerting disregard for medical self-administration", explained Peter Heinz, Chairman of the Board of the KV Rhineland-Palatinate, in Mainz on Sunday. He hoped that politicians would take a serious look at the problems in outpatient care and look constructively for solutions for practices and patients.
On Friday, the KV announced the closure of the seven on-call practices at the beginning of next year in view of a ruling by the Federal Social Court on the social insurance obligation of pool doctors. The KV's assembly of representatives decided on Wednesday to adjust the regulations for the on-call medical service as of January 1, 2024. Minister Hoch (SPD) had reacted indignantly. "This leapfrogging by the KV is incomprehensible and is at the expense of patients". Hospitals and emergency rooms would also suffer as they would have to compensate for this. It is the KV's task to ensure the on-call service for SHI-accredited doctors. He would summon the KV board to the ministry in the near future.
In October, the Federal Social Court ruled that a dentist from Baden-Württemberg must be covered by social insurance if he works as a so-called pool doctor for an emergency service organized by the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians. After examining the consequences, the KV Rhineland-Palatinate declared that the ruling would have a significant impact on the medical on-call service (ÄBD) in the state. As a consequence, the hours of service of the ÄBD would also be shortened from January 2024.
On Sunday, Heinz from the KV explained that doctors and their practice staff are committed on a daily basis "to cushioning undesirable political developments and a lack of willingness to reform. We have repeatedly pointed out that they have long since reached their limits and that relief is urgently needed".
Doctors in Rhineland-Palatinate are facing challenges in maintaining the on-call medical service due to a ruling by the Federal Social Court, which could lead to a reduction in hours of service starting from January 2024. This situation, according to Peter Heinz, Chairman of the KV Rhineland-Palatinate, highlights the need for politicians to pay attention to the problems in outpatient care and work towards constructive solutions for both practices and patients, involving the use of appropriate medicine and healthcare services.
Source: www.dpa.com
