Nursing is not having an easy time in Austria: 35,000 new nurses are needed by 2030. But the field lacks appeal, but especially the right support and the right preconditions. In addition, family members bear the greatest burden of care. The health care reform announced by the government should change that. But that’s not enough: “We need easier access for third-country nationals,” said Othmar Karas, president of the Austrian aid organization and first vice-president of the European Parliament in a live conversation with moderator Conny Winiwarter. He also admits that the EU has failed in its asylum policy.
“It’s a tough job,” Karas sums it up, “and it’s undervalued.” The pandemic has impressively demonstrated that people in nursing professions are systemically important. Yet the people’s appreciation, framework and support are “insufficient”. Empathy should have a value again, Karas believes. Any person who decides to enter the nursing profession should be guided accordingly by experienced trainers. “We don’t have enough of both”, is his sobering conclusion.
Nursing student: Good step, but not enough
It must advertise in order to be able to compensate for the lack of internships and personnel in the long term. But this also requires more training channels. “I’m glad that nursing education has started now,” says Karas positively about the nursing reform, but not every nursing job can be done by a student, he emphasizes. Karas emphasizes several times: “The essence is professional practice”.
Need help from third countries
What Karas lacks in the care reform is “easier access for third-country nationals with the right education and the will to come to Austria”. According to Karas, there is great potential here: for example, sponsoring with suitable countries and making the Red-White-Red Card more attractive. There are best practice examples in Germany and Northern Europe: “Austria should imitate them”.
Family members are the victims
Karas says to the care billion: “That’s a lot of money with a much bigger problem”. The billion would be needed “to support the caring family members”. They bear 80% of the main burden in healthcare. They should be “supported in terms of time, money and pension entitlement”. He is critical of the correctness of the care billion, family members would not be supported.
“patchwork of responsibilities”
“We have a patchwork of responsibilities,” says the ÖVP politician, still not wanting to make excuses about the competence situation. Those affected bring nothing. One homework assignment has been neglected so far: “The place of residence should not determine how someone helps you”. But when it comes to finances, he does.
Asylum policy: “We have failed”
The Vice-President of the European Parliament admits: “We have a big problem with asylum and migration policy in Europe”. If he has his way, asylum procedures should be made possible outside the EU border. The homework of the last few years has not been done and no conclusions have been drawn from 2015. “Here we failed,” admits Karas. But he emphasizes that it is unacceptable for him to solve the migration problems by changing human rights.
You can see the entire interview with Othmar Karas in the video above. KroneLIVE can be seen from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m.
What do you think of the situation in the healthcare sector? Comment with us!
We explain what everyone is thinking about right now: the latest news conversations with politicians and experts.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
