Care in Leverkusen: SPD discusses challenges and solutions

Care in Leverkusen: SPD discusses challenges and solutions

The annual reception of the SPD faction in Leverkusen, which took place recently, took place under unfavorable signs. The financial challenges with which the city is confronted were also reflected in the discussions of the evening. Nevertheless, the focus was on an important social issue: the future of care. With the motto "Who Cares? Care too in the future", they wanted to draw attention to the urgent needs in this area.

The group leader Milanie Kreutz left no doubt that despite the tense household situation, investments in the future are essential. "There is enough to do in Leverkusen," she emphasized. Demographic development is alarming because 21 percent of the population is already 65 years or older. This has an immediate impact on the availability of nursing places, which are both expensive and difficult to find. In particular, women who often take on most of the nursing work at home feel the stress and challenges in this situation.

The challenges in care

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who was also present, commented on the major challenges in the health sector. "The reform backlog is noticeable in almost all areas," he said, noticing that his party has also contributed to this in the past. He pointed out that the BabyBoomer generation will soon retire and at the same time could also be in need of care, which leads to a significant decline in the available specialists. Lauterbach warned: "Almost 5000 doctors are missing every year."

Reforms are necessary

The situation in long-term care insurance describes Lauterbach as increasingly overwhelming. "The long -term care insurance has become an anxiety factor," he stated, while he pointed out the need for a financial reform in this area. It is planned that nursing staff should receive more autonomy in their decisions. This is intended to introduce the Nursing Competence Act, which gives the specialists more freedom of choice.

A particular focus is also on the recognition of qualifications for foreign nurses. Lauterbach called for a reform of the procedures to reduce the bureaucratic hurdles when recognizing deals. Currently, only about 20,000 workers come from abroad to the nursing sector every year - "a drop on the hot stone," continued Lauterbach.

In this context, Lauterbach reminded how important it is to increase the health standards. "Life expectancy in Germany is 1.7 years below expectations," said the minister, which further increases the pressure on the health system. Health care could no longer be maintained without the support of foreign doctors and nurses, whereby a significant proportion of doctors in Germany now has degrees abroad.

In summary, it became clear at this event that the challenges in Leverkusen are not only local, but part of a major, national problem. Lauterbach and the local politicians unite the will to tackle these problems, but the way there remains rocky and shaped by numerous obstacles.