Head of the Medical Association warns of corona failures in clinics

Johna criticized the traffic light coalition, which has so far disagreed on possible measures for autumn and winter. This is a “big mistake,” she said. “Again there is a stalemate without clear decisions. For the third autumn in a row, we cannot prepare properly.” With a few exceptions, all measures should be possible. School closures, on the other hand, should be avoided.

Read the full interview here:

Ms. Johna, the increasing number of infections is also affecting the medical profession; in clinics, stations have to be closed due to corona failures. Do you see bottlenecks?
We see bottlenecks in clinics, especially in Schleswig-Holstein with its particularly high number of infections. But also in other federal states, stations, emergency rooms and the rescue service can no longer be operated due to a lack of staff. We also have to assume that even more staff will be absent in the coming weeks. In addition, we have significantly more patients not only in intensive care but also in normal wards than a year ago. Overall, the situation is manageable, but the health system is sometimes reaching its limits again. In the third year of the pandemic, this is a minor catastrophe. After two years of the pandemic, the staff is exhausted anyway.

What does that mean for autumn?
If the numbers are already so high in the summer wave, we are even more worried about the fall. Then we will not only be dealing with a corona epidemic, but probably also with a severe flu epidemic. Influenza hasn’t played a role for the last two years. In the southern hemisphere, for example in Australia, we have a relevant and very early flu epidemic. This combination of corona and influenza wave would be a real problem, as the health system would then have to deal with two serious diseases on a large scale. In addition to the corona virus, there is also a need for a flu vaccination campaign.

There is a proposal from the FDP to shorten the quarantine period so that doctors can be on duty earlier again. A viable way?
This is nonsense. The quarantine period is currently five days – but it usually takes much longer for infected people to recover and then test negative. So shortening quarantine on paper would not get healthcare workers back on duty faster. Incidentally, most of them are not infected at work, but in private life. The virus is circulating there due to the lack of measures.

What is your advice to the public?
For example, I recommend wearing a mask indoors, especially where many people come together in a small space. At the same time, it is understandable that people need a break from the measures after such a long time. But I don’t think it will be more than a break. I am pretty sure that we will need more measures again in autumn, such as contact restrictions, access rules and a mask requirement.

Health Minister Lauterbach has not ruled out school closures either.
I can understand why the Minister of Health says he wants all the tools at his disposal. However, we have seen that closures have also led to many side effects. Some of them were really serious, so schools absolutely have to remain open. Rather restrictive measures in other areas.

The traffic light coalition disagrees about the measures and only wants to make a decision in the fall. Still in time?
I think it was a big mistake that politicians couldn’t agree on measures for the fall before the summer break. Again there is a stalemate without clear decisions. This is not anticipatory action. For the third autumn in a row we can’t prepare properly. As a doctor, I can’t understand that. I think that with a few exceptions, all options should be on the table. The fourth vaccination is also needed for risk groups, employees in the medical field and people over 60 years of age.

Are the staff shortages in clinics a glimpse into the future, in which the health system will suffer due to a shortage of doctors?
We can already see that there is a shortage of doctors in all sectors. According to the German Hospital Institute, 76 percent of hospitals can hardly find staff for vacancies. In addition, demand will increase due to the aging population. That’s why we’ve been campaigning for more study places for ten years now.

They cost money, at the same time the statutory health insurance already has a minus of 17 billion euros.
Of course, health care costs money and competes with other areas of public services, such as education. In addition, there is less and less to distribute. However, the health care system is not only a cost factor, but also a major economic factor and job engine. At the same time, investments must be seen in the context of the major hospital reform that the Minister of Health is planning and which I hope will also save money. Above all, we have to think about how more working time can be gained for actual patient care, for example by reducing bureaucracy and promoting digitization. In addition, clinics have to be financed differently. Here, for example, we are dealing with the case-based flat rates, which create enormous misguided incentives. There are too many beds in metropolitan areas. Here it would often be better to combine locations.

Fewer beds, also in the countryside?
Yes. The clinic in the country remains, but it has to be converted into a regional health center. It would make sense if it became a location for contract medical care and therapy professions. This also saves resources and money. It is important that the government commission comes up with concrete proposals as to which care mandate is assigned to the respective clinics. This must be done by the end of the year, otherwise it will be difficult to implement the reform in this legislature.

Ms. Johna, thank you very much for the interview.
More: Concerns about Corona staff shortages in clinics