For nursing staff in Germany, there will be a bonus payment in recognition of the extraordinary commitment of nursing staff, which will be increased from 1,000 euros as a one-off payment to 1,500 euros in Hesse and Brandenburg. The Ministry of Social Affairs of Hesse in Wiesbaden has already given the go-ahead, but Brandenburg too has already passed a resolution in the state parliament to increase the care bonus. Costs of ten to twelve million euros are estimated for this in this state. But Lower Saxony also supports the increase, according to Health Minister Carola Reimann (SPD). In June, the matter will be discussed in the Lower Saxony state parliament, then the increase will be part of the supplementary budget. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the burden on nursing staff was too great, so this premium was only recently decided in the Bundesrat. Nursing staff will in any case receive up to 1,000 euros, depending on their function and working hours; however, the states and employers can raise the amount, which is also tax-free, to up to 1,500 euros. This has already been decided by other federal states. In Hesse, for example, one can also envisage the participation of nursing home owners. Talks are currently being held on this.
Source: Aerzteblatt