The staff shortage at German clinics and hospitals, about 2,000 in number, is, in the opinion of various experts in the health care system, becoming more and more widespread, so that remedial action is needed. However, the staff shortage does not only affect nursing staff, but also doctors. 80 percent of the institutions have problems filling vacancies, of which there are currently 17,000 nationwide. Tough working conditions, high cost pressure and competition and a sharp increase in bureaucracy are among the reasons for the shortage of skilled staff in German hospitals. The new hospital barometer of the German Hospital Institute (DKI) sees an urgent need for action. Eugen Brysch, Chairman of the Board of the German Patient Foundation, criticizes above all that the federal states have spent too little money on maintenance and modernization in recent years. But also the establishment of new medical study places is too slow. 17,000 new places will be needed in the near future. Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn is also criticized by Brysch for not reacting appropriately to oversupply in conurbations and undersupply in rural areas with the help of strategic financial planning. In addition, the income limits of higher earners are too low, at just 4,687 euros per month, to not have to pay additional contributions on higher incomes. According to Brychs, many actors are partly to blame for the misery. Susanne Johna, chairwoman of the Marburger Bund, blames politics above all for the poor framework conditions. Karl Lauterbach, health politician of the SPD, goes one step further, because in his opinion the lack of personnel is a danger for the well-being of patients. He even speaks of a higher mortality rate due to this shortage situation, because in 30 percent of all hospitals, according to DKI figures, intensive care beds have to be closed and departments have to be deregistered from emergency care. Lauterbach is also calling for better payment for nursing staff, the introduction of a 35-hour week and the admission of 5,000 additional medical students.
