Where to take a sick child? - Frankfurt's Pediatric Care Crisis: Medical Center Closes Department, Leaving 4,000 Children Without Local Care
A medical care center in Frankfurt is set to close its pediatric department by the end of November, leaving approximately 4,000 children without access to local pediatric care. The closure is not due to financial reasons but rather the resignation of all four pediatricians working there.
The closure highlights the ongoing challenges in the pediatric sector, with a shortage of pediatricians and unattractive working conditions leading to practice closures and fewer new patients being accepted. Despite a high number of private pediatric practices in Frankfurt, the demand for better work-life balance and the burden of bureaucracy are pushing many pediatricians to leave the profession.
Efforts to secure pediatric care include supporting medical care centers, subsidizing practice takeovers in underserved areas, and cooperating with universities to attract new doctors. However, Germany's healthcare system lacks needs-based guidance, fostering an 'entitlement mentality' among parents. Meanwhile, the pediatric emergency service at the University Hospital in Frankfurt has been closed since October, with parents encouraged to call the on-call medical service at 116 117 for urgent appointments, though usage is reportedly low.
Contrary to the perception of a severe shortage, the number of office-based pediatricians in Hesse has increased by 116 over the past decade, with only 8 vacant positions across 300 practice locations. Ralf Moebus, state chair of the Professional Association of Pediatricians in Hesse, dismisses the notion of a critical shortage, suggesting that the issue lies more in the distribution and working conditions.
The closure of the pediatric department in Frankfurt underscores the need for urgent action to address the challenges facing pediatric care in Germany. While the number of pediatricians has grown, the distribution and working conditions must be improved to ensure that all children have access to the care they need.
