German parliament approves emergency medical care reform

Germany's Bundestag has passed a comprehensive reform of its emergency medical care system aimed at reducing the burden on hospital emergency rooms and ensuring that those in urgent need of medical attention receive it more swiftly. These changes are set to take effect in 2027.

The current state of overcrowded emergency departments, particularly in Germany's largest cities such as Berlin and Hamburg, has been a significant issue. According to statistics, hospitals in the country treated around 13 million outpatients in emergency situations in 2024, representing a five percent increase from the previous year. This marked the highest rate since data collection started in 2018.

The reform seeks to alleviate some of the pressure on emergency services caused by patients who visit emergency rooms for conditions that could be addressed elsewhere, such as minor ailments or chronic illnesses. Additionally, some individuals reportedly use emergency services due to social isolation, as noted by healthcare professionals and emergency service staff.

A survey conducted by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Notfallmedizin in April highlighted that nearly half of Germany's emergency rooms are currently overwhelmed. Many hospitals stated that the inability to transfer patients from emergency departments to regular hospital wards due to a lack of available beds is a significant factor contributing to this overload. Almost two-thirds of hospitals report staff shortages in their emergency departments, affecting both medical and nursing staff, with only about a third considering their staffing adequate.

The reform focuses on better coordination across the three primary areas of emergency care: hospital emergency departments, emergency medical services, and the out-of-hours medical service. A key element of the initiative is to implement a system for initial assessment via telephone or digital platforms before patients actually visit emergency services, particularly for minor health issues. This is intended to save patients time and effort and help manage hospital resources more effectively.

Large aid and emergency service organizations have called for improvements to the proposed reforms, although the details of these demands are not specified. The black-red coalition views these changes as an essential step in restructuring healthcare delivery in emergency settings.

Source: tagesschau.de