Tense staff situation in the hospital with consequences: In a state hospital in the Mostviertel, gynecology and obstetrics now have to close. Recently, external specialists have repeatedly had to help maintain service activities. It finally ends on March 24th.
Waidhofen an der Ybbs will hardly appear in documents as a place of birth in the future. From March 24, the services of the gynecology and obstetrics department at the hospital in the legal city of Mostviertler will be stopped. The personnel situation in this field has been very tense for ten years. Two years ago the station had to be closed for a short time.
The hospital has filed a threat report
Finally, the clinic management was forced to take an even more drastic measure: the management and the works council sent a hazard report including an overload report to the State Health Agency (LGA). The activities in the department could only be maintained by regularly using external staff.
“Creating a schedule is almost impossible with such limited human resources. “Especially when it comes to the main holiday periods,” says the LGA. There was therefore no alternative to the decision taken to close the gynecology and obstetrics department in Waidhofen an der Ybbs.
Safety for babies and mothers
The emphasis is on the safety of babies and mothers. “In state clinics, a specialist must be present at every birth,” the LGA emphasizes. However, this could no longer be guaranteed in Waidhofen an der Ybbs in the future. Especially because it is generally difficult to find gynecologists – especially for a hospital with a relatively low occupancy rate.
The state councilor responsible for the clinics, Ludwig Schleritzko, also confirmed the failed search for staff. However, he emphasizes: “The state health department is tasked with ensuring that every expectant mother in our country continues to receive the best possible care.” In the Mostviertel this is guaranteed with the clinics in Amstetten, Scheibbs and Melk.
SPÖ: “The station must be preserved!”
There is harsh criticism from the SPÖ about the upcoming closure of the hospital department in Waidhofen an der Ybbs. State Councilor for Health Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig criticizes the “lack of a general plan for hospital care” in Lower Austria: “Now rural health care is once again being undermined in an individual campaign.” Party leader Sven Hergovich summarizes the Social Democrats’ position: “The maternity ward in Waidhofen de Ybbs must be preserved!”
Source: Krone
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