Apparently there is a dire shortage of ophthalmologist practices in East Tyrol, as it turned out on Monday morning at the door of a doctor of choice in Lienz. Patients lined the street in a long line waiting to make an appointment, the AK reports.
According to AK chairman Erwin Zangerl, there were about 150 people in line. After a panel doctor retired at the end of the year, only one is left for Osttirol. According to media reports, one of a total of two doctors of choice, whose practice door had people queuing since 5:30 a.m., has made new appointments from Monday. “Despite several advertisements together with the Medical Association for Tyrol, it has not yet been possible to fill the position,” explains Werner Salzburger, ÖGK chairman of Tyrol.
For AK President Zangerl, there was a “completely unreasonable” situation in East Tyrol, which he attributed to the reform of the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK): “This is yet another example that the structure of the Austrian Health Insurance Fund reflects the reality of life . The ÖGK’s centralism is also cumbersome, hugely expensive and completely ignores regional needs,” he said. It has been known for half a year that the district is understaffed.
Blanik: „Medical association and health insurance required“
Lienz Mayor Elisabeth Blanik (SPÖ) also criticized the fact that there was only one panel doctor in Lienz: “That is certainly not enough for the district. Our service area also includes Upper Carinthia. The aim is to fill at least one second cashier position. The doctors’ association and the regional health insurance fund are now mandatory,” she said.
President Salzburger announced talks between the ÖGK and the specialist group for ophthalmology and optometry in the coming weeks. In addition, through specialists from the BKH Kufstein, cooperation is being sought between ÖGK and the state of Tyrol, “the content of which could be ophthalmic care”.
Source: Krone
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