Warken to delegate more tasks to medical staff - Warken to delegate more tasks to medical staff
Federal Health Minister Nina Warken has outlined plans to reform Germany’s healthcare system by shifting more responsibilities to medical professionals other than doctors. The changes aim to cut costs, reduce waiting times and prevent overcrowding in clinics. Warken insists that patients with chronic conditions or those needing preventive care will still see specialists directly.
Under the proposed reforms, tasks such as home visits, routine consultations and minor examinations could be handled by trained nurses or other healthcare staff. Warken cited Sweden’s system as a model, where specially qualified nurses assess whether a patient requires a doctor’s attention. She argues this would streamline care and reduce unnecessary appointments.
The minister also defended her push for a stronger primary care system, where GPs act as the first point of contact before referring patients to specialists. However, she confirmed that direct access to certain specialists—like ophthalmologists and gynaecologists—would remain unchanged. Warken acknowledged that patients may need time to adjust to these changes.
Behind the reforms is a government-appointed commission, which began work in January 2025. Its main goals include stabilising health insurance contribution rates from 2027 and refining the ongoing hospital reform. The focus remains on cutting costs to prevent further rises in insurance payments.
The proposed changes would reassign some medical duties to non-doctor professionals while keeping specialist access for key patient groups. The reforms are part of broader efforts to control healthcare spending and improve efficiency. The commission’s recommendations will shape the final policy adjustments in the coming years.
