Medical Association warns: – “Vienna clinics are threatened with a slow death”

In mid-February, the Viennese mayor invited Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) to the health summit in the town hall. Agreed at the time: intensive talks between the Vienna Health Association, Alderman for Health Peter Hacker and the Vienna Medical Association. A solution to the hospital crisis must be sought together.

“Sent in circles for two months”
According to the medical association, nothing has happened so far. Chamber vice Dr. Stefan Ferenci does not shy away from criticism: “We were sent in circles for two months and postponed again and again. I wonder how this management can solve the problems in Vienna’s hospitals at all.” The city does not agree, there would have been talks.

Meanwhile, the problems in the local clinics do not stop. “Sometimes the doctors assist each other in important operations and some night shifts have to be taken over by physiotherapists instead of nurses. The blocked beds in the individual locations now correspond to the capacity of an entire clinic,” says Dr. Eduardo Maldonado-González.

And he warns: “If we don’t take the money now to stop the flight of personnel, the Wigev’s management failure will soon cost human lives.”

Medical Association with a 10-point immediate program
The Chamber of Physicians demands, among other things, a return premium and a residence premium of 24,000 euros each for all health professions. This is to counteract the acute staff shortage. Estimated costs for the two-year housing bonus alone: ​​675 million euros.

“We don’t accept a lack of money when you look at how many billions have been paid out in recent years in Covid relief for companies that are not alone in need. In any case, we will do everything we can to save the hospitals and not let them die slowly,” said Ferenci.