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Nursing crisis: Urgent need for action for better working conditions!
In a current study, the University of Kassel highlights the challenges of geriatric care in Germany and urgently calls for improvements.
Nursing crisis: Urgent need for action for better working conditions!
In Germany, the challenges in the care sector are serious and are constantly increasing as the number of people in need of care increases. Loud Deutschlandfunk The number of people in need of care has increased by an average of 326,000 people annually since 2017, with the increase last year being 361,000. Forecasts show that around six million people will be dependent on care by 2040. This places an enormous burden on the existing system.
In the context of the nursing shortage that has existed for years, an essential measure to improve the situation is to optimize the working conditions for nursing staff. A study was published by Wolfgang Schroeder and Saara Inkinen, which analyzes the lack of nationwide organization and effective representation of the interests of employees in geriatric care. Your report, supported by University of Kassel, shows that nurses are often disorganized, leading to weak advocacy and a “vicious circle of broken advocacy.”
Structured healthcare
Experts like Bettina Rödig, pediatric nurse and works council member, are calling for more self-confidence among nursing staff and an improvement in their working conditions. Loud Böckler Foundation The shortage of skilled workers in nursing can be described as acute, and many skilled workers are leaving the workforce due to inadequate working conditions. An alarming sign is a survey showing that 94% of Germans are in favor of better pay and working conditions in the healthcare sector.
The problems identified are also exacerbated by the hospitals' financing systems. While Health Minister Karl Lauterbach is working towards a reform that will reduce flat rates per case, the reality shows that there is a shortage of more than 100,000 full-time positions in the nursing service in German hospitals. This means that in some regions over 191,000 additional nursing staff will be needed by 2040.
Political initiatives and solutions
The political response to the growing need for care is complex. The Union and SPD are planning a comprehensive “major care reform”, while Federal Family Minister Karin Prien wants to introduce a “care allowance” for caring relatives. These measures aim to improve the living situation of nursing staff and reduce the risk of poverty among caring relatives.
In addition, digitalization in the care sector is seen as a potential solution. Innovative approaches such as smart duvets and the use of social robots, for example “Willi”, which is being tested, could help reduce the workload for nursing staff. Nevertheless, it is clear that political actions must be implemented more quickly and in a more targeted manner in order to effectively address the acute personnel shortage and the associated challenges.
In order to improve the situation sustainably, a strong commitment from the collective bargaining partners as well as stronger government intervention is required, as in the study by University of Kassel emerges. Only through targeted measures can the working conditions for nursing staff be sustainably improved and the increasing demand in the coming years be met.