Shortage of GPs in Saxony continues

The shortage of GPs in Saxony continues. According to an overview by the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, as of July 1, there were 111 vacancies in the Dresden region, 247 in the Chemnitz region and 26 in the Leipzig region. In total, there was a shortage of 384 doctors. At the beginning of 2023, the shortage was even greater, as a question from the Left Party in the state parliament revealed. At that time, there was a gap of 451 vacancies. There is a supply problem in rural areas in particular.

Rural regions in particular have a shortage of GPs

"Being ill or even chronically ill and not being able to find a GP forever - I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Our healthcare system 'punishes' many people for choosing where they live, but good care must be available everywhere," Left Party parliamentary group leader Susanne Schaper told the German Press Agency. Family doctor's surgeries are also important because they are supposed to manage possible further treatment. Schaper herself is a trained nurse.

The Left Party's inquiry revealed that the shortage of staff is particularly severe in and around Weißwasser, Stollberg, Frankenberg-Hainichen, Marienberg, Reichenbach, Werdau and Torgau. "Medical care is a key issue when people are thinking about moving to the countryside or staying there. Medical staff can also only be attracted to areas that offer attractive living conditions," said Schaper. Investments in transport links, daycare centers and culture are therefore very important.

Doctors in private practice often cannot find a successor for their practice

The Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Saxony (KV) sees the shortage as an effect of an ageing population and medical profession. Older patients need more medical care and are less mobile in rural areas. "Older doctors in private practice often cannot find a successor for their practice. The problem is filling vacancies - there are major differences between the specialist groups and also between the regions as well as urban and rural areas," the KV Saxony said in response to a query.

According to the KV, there is also a shift in life and work models: "The work-life balance is changing into a work-life balance. People are foregoing financial income and working less in order to gain leisure time. Young doctors tend to decide more often not to set up their own practice and work as employees, increasingly only part-time." There is a shortage of specialists, especially in rural areas.

KV Sachsen sees politicians as having a duty

The KV Sachsen points to its own offers and support programs that have been in place for years and are intended to remedy the situation. "In addition, politicians must also take action at all levels - at federal, state and local level." In order to secure outpatient care now and for future generations, fundamental structural changes are needed, such as a good infrastructure in rural regions, better leisure facilities, shopping facilities, fast internet and good connections.

Schaper formulated her party's demands in a similar way. "The rural doctor quota alone will not be enough. Further training and digitalization must be made easier, bureaucracy must be reduced and remuneration must be regularly adjusted, if only so that practices can offer attractive conditions to the staff they need." In addition, training capacities must be expanded as quickly as possible and more study places for human medicine must be created.

Left-wing parties call for state support for innovative practice models

"It should be put to the test how appropriate it is to make access to medical studies dependent on a 1.0 A-level grade. The state should also support innovative practice models such as team practices and mobile services such as community nurses," said Schaper. There should also be more polyclinics. This would relieve doctors of the burden of running a small business in the form of a practice alongside their work.