Patients turned away – clinic staff: “Circumstances are unbearable”

The shortage of skilled workers in Vienna’s hospitals and health care facilities is increasing. Meanwhile, the medical association is already sounding the alarm. “Care in homes and hospitals has reached a critical point that can lead to conditions that are dangerous to patients,” summarizes Medical Association president Johannes Steinhart.

This can also be seen in the example of Klinik Favoriten. According to emails (see facsimile) leaked to “Krone”, the medical staff of the urology department had already written a threat report. This occurs when damage (to employees or patients) can no longer be ruled out.

Lack of infrastructure, bed closures
The reason for the advertisement: the lack of information structure and the resulting insufficient OR capacity. “The circumstances are simply unbearable,” says an employee. Patients are not admitted or referred to other clinics that also have no capacity.

In the Ottakring clinic, for example, bed closures would limit capacity. The operations would take place late.

Bad proposed solution
Particularly explosive: the “stock shortage for stone patients* (note: kidney/urine) and tumor patients* mentioned in the email. The solution proposed by those responsible is bad. Send more patients to Ottakring clinic, which is also overloaded, and restrictions for sick people from the states. The author himself knows: “I don’t think any of this is a quantum leap.”

“It’s not cheaper now, but worse”
What led to the situation is clear to the employee: “Too many departments were closed and clinics were reduced in size to cut costs. It’s not cheaper now, but it’s worse.”

According to the health association, surgical capacity is always limited. In addition, there are holiday periods and Covid absences of employees. FPÖ boss Dominik Nepp does not want to accept that: “Municipal councilor Peter Hacker is responsible for the personnel situation, because health care has been running into a wall for years.”