Before a joint meeting on the Health Pact 2040+, the government members responsible for health, Provincial Councilor Ludwig Schleritzko, Provincial Councilor Christiane Teschl-Hofmeister and Provincial Councilor NÖGUS Chairman Christoph Luisser, met this Tuesday afternoon for a media statement on the current case surrounding the future hospital structure in Lower Austria. State Councilor Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig apologized due to illness.
Provincial Councilor Ludwig Schleritzko explained at the beginning that from the outset “all parties represented in the government” had been involved in working together to make the Lower Austrian health system fit for the future with the Health Pact 2040+ process. The publication of a “years-old document” has caused great consternation and fear for the future, said Schleritzko. “That’s why, in my role as the responsible state councilor for the Lower Austrian state clinics, I now see it as my job to allay fears and ensure clarity.”
Schleritzko said in advance that the last few days had made it clear: “There is no expert who ‘does not’ advocate and support ideas about the future hospital structure throughout Austria but also in Lower Austria.” At this point he quoted the chairman of the Lower Austrian Medical Council, Herbert Frank , who clearly stated: “No clinics will be eliminated without replacement. We have to move away from the location guarantee and towards a supply guarantee.” The State Council emphasized: “It cannot and will not be about savings in people’s health.”
The fact is that at the beginning of the Health Pact 2040+ reform process, politicians set clear framework conditions that the experts should follow. “One of these framework conditions is primary and acute care at all times,” emphasized the State Council. For the population, this means: “No matter what recommendations regarding locations are made by the experts, we will maintain that appropriate care is available at all times at every current clinic location – without exception.” Anyone who needs acute treatment will receive it. The experts’ recommendations should show whether these treatments take place in a hospital, an outpatient clinic or a primary care center.
In any case, the goal remains the best possible care for our compatriots, which is why there is no need for false information and speculation based on an old paper. “People’s health takes precedence over party politics,” he stated clearly and told SPÖ chairman Hergovich that his behavior was preventing constructive forces from his own party “like colleague Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig, who has been pushing for the implementation of the regional structural plan for years Health (RSG) demands, for which our health pact is the basis.” The State Council concluded: “Anyone who torpedoes the health pact will also torpedo the RSG.”
NÖGUS chairman Christoph Luisser described the Health Pact 2040+ in his statement as a “forward-looking initiative that is intended to develop long-term solutions for the most pressing problems in Lower Austria’s healthcare system.” The pact forms the foundation for modern and sustainable healthcare in the state and does not achieve any short-term improvements , but also ensure supplies for decades to come.
Luisser also stated: “The important work of the expert committee was disrupted by the counterproductive publication of a paper that attempts to undermine the thorough and objective work of the entire team.” He emphasized, together with State Health Councilor Königsberger-Ludwig, Ludwig Schleritzko and Christiane Teschl- Hofmeister is responsible for the RSG within the Lower Austrian state government and works closely together here. “That is why it is incomprehensible to me that State Councilor Hergovich does not adequately support his own party colleague in implementing her tasks in the health pact.” The SPÖ has often called for the RSG to be drawn up, and now the party seems to want to shirk responsibility. “Ultimately, the SPÖ, represented by the responsible state health councilor, remains responsible, which is why I ask my colleague Königsberger-Ludwig to continue to work constructively, as she has done since the beginning of 2024.”
Finally, he reiterated that he was firmly behind the health pact and would announce the findings of the expert panel as soon as they had been thoroughly examined and were viable. “Politically motivated disruptive maneuvers will not stop us; our goal remains the best health care for the citizens of Lower Austria,” said Luisser.
State Councilor Christiane Teschl-Hofmeister, who is responsible for the nursing and care sector, explained that the health system would be unthinkable without the nursing sector. She therefore considers it irresponsible not to address this issue within the health pact together with experts. “There may be different approaches and perspectives, but I don’t think it’s justifiable to generally refuse to participate in such an important process,” she also told SPÖ chairman Hergovich.
The clear task is “to ensure that residents and patients in the Lower Austrian clinics and care centers receive the best possible medical and nursing care,” said the state councilor. It is the task of politicians to provide the appropriate framework conditions that nursing staff need for their work in the future. These are very demanding “against the background of demographic change and due to the need for nursing staff”.
Teschl-Hofmeister took the opportunity to thank the nursing staff “for their daily commitment and commitment when it comes to making our healthcare landscape in Lower Austria fit for the future.”
For further information contact the LR Schleritzko office at 0676/81212345, Jan Teubl, and e-mail jan.teubl@noel.gv.at