The GKV has calculated how many clinics are needed in Germany for adequate care.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin It is a central question of the clinic reform by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD): How many clinics does Germany need for good care?
A calculation by the Association of Statutory Health Insurance (GKV) now provides answers. Accordingly, 1247 of the almost 1700 hospitals are sufficient. From the patient’s perspective, they “fulfil the prerequisites for ensuring nationwide care for the population in the future,” according to the calculation.
The other 400 clinics would have to explain “why they are needed and why they bind specialists unnecessarily,” said the association’s board member Stefanie Stoff-Ahnis on Friday in Sommerfeld in Brandenburg.
422 of these 1,247 clinics would ensure extended or comprehensive emergency care, and there were also 358 clinics with an emergency level within a 30-minute driving time radius. There are also 272 specialist hospitals with at least 500 inpatient somatic cases and 64 standalone children’s hospitals, stroke wards or trauma centers. In addition, 131 regional hospitals would be needed, without which local care would not be ensured. “This is a solid basis for further developing quality-assured inpatient care through the specialization of hospitals,” it continues.
Criticism of the calculations came from the German Hospital Society (DKG). “The number games are superfluous and unnecessarily unsettle their own insured and the employees of the hospitals,” said DKG chairwoman Henriette Neumeyer to the Handelsblatt. The statement that there are hundreds of clinics too many is “wrong and irrelevant”. A fundamental restructuring of the hospital landscape is still necessary. “The number of locations will also be reduced,” she said.
Statutory health insurance companies insist on clear standards
In addition, the calculations by the health insurers are not a projection of Minister Karl Lauterbach’s hospital reform. Key points for this are to be worked out before the summer break in coordination with the federal states.
From the point of view of the health insurance association, the planned nationwide quality standards – so-called performance groups – are the central building block of the reform, as Stoff-Ahnis explained. Because health insurance companies would only have to finance treatments in houses that meet the uniform criteria for staff and equipment, for example.
Lauterbach spoke of a “breakthrough” on Thursday. The basic structure of the reform is in place. In detail, however, there is still a need for clarification with the federal states, for example on the planned levels of care, the so-called levels. No agreement had been reached with the countries on this, he said.
>> Read also: Lauterbach’s meetings with the federal states remain without agreement
Above all, Lauterbach is discussing with the federal states planned classifications in the clinic network with corresponding financing – from basic care close to home to a second level with further offers up to maximum care providers such as university clinics.
The Minister of Health explained that the federal and state governments agree on the principles of the hospital reform.
(Photo: dpa)
In addition, the remuneration system with lump sums for treatment cases is to be changed in order to free clinics from economic pressure. The industry had recently again warned of acute financial difficulties. Lauterbach said it was necessary to be quick now because many hospitals were in existential danger. They could not continue without the reform.
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First publication: 06/02/2023, 11:00 a.m. (last updated: 06/02/2023, 1:17 p.m.).