Parr: It takes more than the previous care reform steps, namely real system reform.
Vienna (OTS) – As the update of the nursing staff demand forecast published today shows, between 5,000 and 6,000 additional people are needed for the nursing and care sector every year – purely due to retirements and demographic developments.
“The federal government’s previous nursing reform steps were right and important with their focus on training. At the same time, we as Caritas have repeatedly pointed out that these measures will not be enough to make care fit for the future,” said Anna Parr, Secretary General of Caritas Austria. This confirms the GÖG forecast today. Parr continues: “Although there have never been as many people as today working in nursing and care professions or currently completing training, there will be a total shortage of around 51,100 nursing and care people by 2030 and even 119,900 people by 2040.”
Keep skilled workers in the profession and secure sufficient training places
Fluctuation is not taken into account in the current nursing staff demand forecast. Parr: “If we do not manage to quickly improve the framework conditions so that nursing and care staff stay in their jobs for as long as possible, the need for skilled workers will become even greater. Here politicians and sponsors are equally and jointly challenged.”
It is also a fact: the need for new nursing specialists cannot be covered by the existing training positions. More training places are needed quickly, but this also means a training offensive for nursing educators and an expansion of internship positions with appropriate funding for practical instructions.
System reform with affected people at the center
Caritas Austria supports the conclusions of the study, especially measures for those returning to work, the recruitment of foreign skilled workers, a digitalization offensive and the focus on health prevention – both for older people to stay mobile for as long as possible and for employees to stay healthy for a long time to be able to work in this job.
Parr: “The needs are on the table. As one of the largest providers in Austria, we appeal to politicians not to let up now, but to use this GÖG forecast as a tailwind for further measures, but also for a real system reform that will make our care and support fit for the future. Despite previous care reform steps, we still see a patchy carpet in the care and support landscape in Austria. Nursing care is currently neither available across the board nor is the quality consistently assured; costs, working conditions and staffing ratios vary from state to state. There are no technical arguments for this, what is finally needed is nationwide standardization.”
Questions & Contact:
Caritas Austria
Tina Neuerthal
Head of Public Relations & Press Spokesperson
+43 676 7804589
tina. newertal@caritas-austria.at
www.caritas.at
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