Graz University Hospital issued a call for help on Tuesday: Because numerous doctors and nurses are missing, not all patients can be admitted for the first time. In the afternoon, the 7,000 employees were informed about the tense situation. In the background there was disagreement with the hospital board.
It was an act of desperation: Since the Graz University Hospital can no longer fulfill its legal care obligations to the usual extent due to the enormous staff shortage, approximately 7,000 employees were informed live by the hospital management about the “tense situation”. stream on Tuesdays at 2:30 PM
It has long been impossible to care for all patients and it is increasingly common for critically ill patients to go to other homes in other states, such as Wr. Neustadt or Klagenfurt must be transported further. Long waiting times for operations are now part of everyday life.
247 beds blocked in Grazer LKH
Specifically, on January 11, 200 nurses are missing at the University Hospital of Graz alone, so 247 beds are currently closed. “Prognoses show that the situation will only ease again in 2026,” says medical director Wolfgang Köle.
Hellmut Samonigg, Rector of the Medical University of Graz, called the biggest problems by their names: “Special subjects such as neurosurgery or cardiac surgery are only available in Graz, there is no other location in Styria where such patients can go. It is therefore our duty to inform the public and politicians.”
However, the oncologist referred to another complaint: “The clinic has an obligation to handle the training of medical students. We observe an increasing limitation in this area, the same applies to specialist training.”
press empty
Incidentally, the clinic management also wanted to inform the press on Tuesday about the “comprehensive program of measures to improve the work situation”. Extra bonuses for busy outpatient clinics or welcome bonuses for new nurses are planned resolution strategies, and commute grants should also be introduced. In addition, the LKH Graz II and the one in Weiz will collaborate more closely with the university clinic in the future.
But that did not happen: “Krone”, “Kleine Zeitung” and “ORF” were released at very short notice, operational director Gebhard Falzberger, the medical director, Wolfgang Köle, nursing director Gabriele Möstl, Med-Uni rector Hellmut Samonigg and his deputy Andreas Leithner called back by the board at the last minute.
Message control or political calculation?
Kages board member Gerhard Stark (whose press department still knew nothing about the date on Tuesday morning) explained this unusual move to the “Krone” as follows: “Normally the Kages corporate communications are involved in such appointments, this time it was different. Yes , there are many problems in the university hospital, but before countermeasures can be presented on a large scale, all details must be correct and coordinated so that no one feels disadvantaged.”
The tense situation in the university clinic is not only due to the lack of staff, but also a product of the centralization policy in the hospital system that has been pursued for years. Country hospitals in Styria are gradually starving and many services are bundled exclusively in Graz.
Centralization policy put to the test
Since, famously, State Governor Christopher Drexler, formerly State Health Councilor for the ÖVP, was instrumental in propelling this mission forward, rumors quickly spread that the press conference had been shut down “from above”. “Not true,” said those in charge.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
