Bavaria's health minister warns of a "humanitarian catastrophe" - and pokes at traffic light probes

If Bavaria's Minister of Health Holetschek has his way, Germany is heading for a “humanitarian catastrophe” in terms of care.

However, this is neglected in the traffic light explorations.

Munich - In addition to the corona pandemic *, the care crisis is at least as big a construction site in health policy. Bavaria's Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU) has now drawn attention to this with drastic words.

"If we put the accounting modalities first, but there is nobody who cares about the people, we have a huge problem," said the politician to the

.

(By the way: Our Bavaria newsletter informs you about all the important stories from the Free State. Register here.)

Nursing crisis in Germany: more money has to be taken into account

"We are currently facing a humanitarian catastrophe," continued the CSU man *. In particular, staff shortages and difficult working conditions would place a heavy burden on care. Another, more political problem for the head of the Conference of Health Ministers is the question of responsibility. “So far, to be honest, health policy has primarily been a topic for finance ministers - we have to change that. We need a great leap forward in health policy. The maintenance is at the limit. "Holetschek also addressed the financial aspect of the problem:" Of course we have to spend more money. The topic will affect every individual, at home or in a nursing home. "

In the course of the past week, the chairwoman of the German Nursing Council, Christine Vogler, demanded a starting salary for nurses in all areas of 4,000 euros gross.

For them, the nursing care crisis should be mentioned immediately after the climate crisis.

She received support from Health Minister Jens Spahn * (CDU).

Holetschek, on the other hand, put it into perspective: “Paying helps, but it's not all that matters.” Better reintegration opportunities and better planning ability are also decisive for nursing staff.

“It cannot be that they are repeatedly taken out of their free time because there is a shortage on the wards and in the homes.

For this purpose, springer pools should be created that are available in the event of staff failures. "

Traffic light explorers do not deal with caring relatives enough

A subject that the Bavarian Minister of Health also neglects is the situation of caring relatives. Especially in the exploratory talks of the SPD, Greens and FDP, the topic is not adequately dealt with. "I am surprised when the family carers are not mentioned in the exploratory paper at a single word."

The social association VdK also wants to focus more on home care.

“The umpteenth offensive is being planned against the shortage of skilled workers in nursing,” criticized President Verena Bentele.

Among other things, it would make sense to strengthen home care.

In long-term care and health insurance billions were already missing in the next year.

Instead of securing the financing by amalgamating statutory and private insurance, private health insurance will be retained.

That was backward-looking, criticized Bentele.

Good signals are the clear commitment not to let the retirement age rise and to overcome Hartz IV.