Chamber of Physicians in Vienna: Strengthen the medical radio service in the interests of health care for the population

After the Tyrolean Medical Association recently criticized the ÖGK’s lack of funding for health care on weekends and public holidays, the Chamber of Physicians in Vienna warns: “In Vienna, too, there are always considerations about the financing of the medical radio service that the Viennese reliable medical care at off-peak times for decades, to question it and to save on individual cars, for example. This would have fatal consequences for the health care of the Viennese population. As the need for outreach care in the capital increases due to the growing and aging population, an increase in emergency teams and cars is needed. This is the only way to ensure security of supply through the medical radio service in the future. We therefore appeal to politicians and social security to guarantee long-term financing in the interests of the population and to provide sufficient resources,” says Johannes SteinhartPresident of the Chamber of Physicians in Vienna and the Austrian Medical Association.

Vienna is a pioneer when it comes to primary care that is available around the clock. These must be secured for the future: “The ÖGK wants primary care centers with long opening times and availability. The medical radio service is a model example of primary care provided by primary care physicians throughout Austria and has been offering the Viennese reliable, high-quality care at night, on weekends and on public holidays for years. In order to secure this for the future, the ÖGK must also secure long-term financing. Now in the cold season and at Christmas, when Corona, RSV and influenza come together, the need for supplies will increase enormously again. If we do not strengthen the medical radio service, patients will have to resort to the already overloaded hospitals. Waiting times for the population will increase again and the pressure on ordinations and health facilities will increase. Those responsible are called upon to do this, because the downward spiral in health care must under no circumstances be allowed to continue,” demands Naghme Kamaleyan-SchmiedVice President and Chair of the Curia of the Resident Curia of the Chamber of Physicians in Vienna.