Clinic Völklingen defends itself against accusations: nursing crisis or false report?

Clinic Völklingen defends itself against accusations: nursing crisis or false report?

A petition about the working conditions at the SHG Clinic in Völklingen has caused a stir in the past few days. The clinic directorate is faced with allegations that state that there is a lack of nurses, which could lead to a dangerous care situation. Administrative director Oliver Adolph rejected these allegations emphatically by pointing out that the number of employees had recently increased. Managing Director Bernd Mege also denied the claim that there was a massive departure of workers. According to Mege, it was primarily restructuring that are necessary for the chance of survival of the clinic.

The petition initiated by a caregiver found support in almost 500 people. In particular, the dissatisfaction in the field of intensive care medicine, where two stations were merged, was brought up. Despite the increased number of employees, the works council sees a tightening of the situation and contradicts the assessment of renovers Adolph. Nevertheless, nursing director Sabine Keller emphasized that there are already training concepts for new employees, and it is important to get the deficits of the clinic, which could be halved from originally around nine million euros to five million euros

improvements in night care

In the context of working conditions, the SHG clinic has taken a significant step that is considered nationwide: the clinic is the first hospital in Germany in which nursing staff no longer work alone. This agreement was established in cooperation with the United Service Union (Verdi) and recently signed at the opening event for the "month of nursing professions" in the Saarbrücken Congresshalle. SHG managing director Bernd Mege was present together with other representatives of Verdi to celebrate this groundbreaking measure.

According to the new regulations, at least two nurses will work on the ward per night shift. This should not only help to improve working conditions for employees, but also to optimize patient care. However, similar agreements have not yet been planned in other SHG clinics in the Saarbrücken regional association. Verdi has also found that there are almost two thirds of nurses in Germany who work alone at night, which often leads to dangerous situations.

stress and burnout in the nursing profession

The working conditions in nursing are still challenging. A study has shown that nursing staff in Germany have a high risk of developing burnout. 37.1 % of the nurses surveyed report on the frequent occurrence of physical and emotional exhaustion. The high labor intensity that increases the likelihood of exhaustion is particularly stressful. Social support is identified as a central protective factor.

With the latest changes in the SHG clinic and the new commitment to improve night care, both the management and the employees hope for a positive turn. Deputy medical director Jennifer Kennel expressed the desire for a constructive dialogue to improve the work mood in order to adequately support both the nursing staff and the patients.

The topic was also treated in the SR Info-Rundschau on the radio, and it remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the coming weeks.