Clinics in Schleswig-Holstein: Loss of millions of obstetrics!

Clinics in Schleswig-Holstein: Loss of millions of obstetrics!

In Schleswig-Holstein, the obstetrics clinics are also facing considerable financial challenges for 2025. According to a survey by the NDR Schleswig-Holstein, more than half of the clinics assess their economic situation as "mediocre" or "bad". These clinics expect a deficit in the millions, since they often cannot cover their costs.

The survey shows that the financing of obstetrics is a special challenge. Many clinics use reserves or financial support from other departments to cover their costs. Hospitals operated in public hands can fall back on help from their providers; For example, the West Coast Clinic receives over 200,000 euros annually from health insurance companies to ensure obstetrics.

challenges and problems of obstetrics

The high costs in obstetrics result from "reservoir costs" for delivery rooms and personnel. The clinics also affect increasing personnel costs and inflation -related increases in material costs. These financial difficulties are tightened by the inadequate refinancing in the DRG system, which has billed all hospital services since 2010. However, births are considered unprofitable in the DRG system, since for example, a caesarean section birth brings a higher flat rate than a vaginal birth.

This problem is not only local, but also affects all obstetrics in Germany. As the Ärzteblatt , the underfunding of the fall flat rates is a central topic. Bottlenecks in care and frustration among doctors and midwives are common consequences of this situation. In addition, concerns about regrets and lawsuits lead to oversupply and pathology -oriented provision.

In the clinics, overcrowded delivery rooms and the dismissal of women under labor are common problems. The closure of birth stations is also a worrying trend; An example of this is the Helios Mariahilf Clinic in Hamburg. In view of the urgency of the situation, representatives of the alliance “we - from the start” call for a fundamental change in the system of obstetrics and a national obstetrics for discussion of the challenges in this area.