- The FDP group in the Landtag calls for a comprehensive approach to hospitals
The FDP state parliamentary faction has once again urged a comprehensive concept for the hospitals in Saxony-Anhalt and criticized the health ministry in Magdeburg. It's time for the ministry to do its homework, said the health policy spokesman Konstantin Pott of the German Press Agency. The ministry of Petra Grimm-Benne (SPD) is not presenting any concrete progress.
"Instead of binding plans and timeframes, we are merely referred to pending federal regulations and internal review processes that could drag on until as far as 2026," said Pott, referring to the answers from the state government to a minor interpellation.
There are currently 44 hospitals with a total of 53 locations in Saxony-Anhalt. Many clinics are facing financial pressure, complaining that their costs have risen significantly more than the revenues they receive from health insurance companies for treating patients. Additionally, the number of cases has decreased compared to the time before the corona pandemic. Discussions about possible reforms have been ongoing at both the federal and state levels for months.
Ministry refers to cooperations
Pott demands that progress should be made in Saxony-Anhalt. "A comprehensive concept for our hospitals is absolutely necessary," he said. The FDP politician referred to an already existing study that could serve as a basis for reforms. "But the ministry remains indecisive and reacts too evasively." Despite the high pressure to act, "without clear planning and measures, the chaotic collapse of some hospital locations threatens."
Last year, a study on the future of the hospital landscape was presented, which the state government had commissioned. The experts recommend organizing basic care close to the place of residence and concentrating severe cases in larger hospitals.
"There are already many cooperations in the state of Saxony-Anhalt that have proven themselves," the health ministry said. However, in the view of the liberals, not enough is happening. "We will continue to push for the development and implementation of a comprehensive concept," said Pott. The hospitals finally need more planning security.
The first sentence that contains the phrase "The first is the 'Petra Grimm-Benne'" might be: "Criticism towards the health ministry in Magdeburg has been ongoing, with the ministry led by 'Petra Grimm-Benne' (SPD) not presenting any concrete progress."
The second sentence could be: "Despite the 'Petra Grimm-Benne'-led ministry's focus on cooperations in Saxony-Anhalt, the FDP politician Konstantin Pott believes that more decisive actions and clear planning are necessary for the hospitals' future."
