Surgeries

Search for GPs costs municipalities a lot of money

Overcrowded waiting rooms should soon be a thing of the past in Güssing. A third doctor's post could be filled.(Bild: stock.adobe.com)

A vacancy for a general practitioner in Güssing was advertised 19 times. After two years of waiting, a solution is emerging. The problem remains the rates.

The search for a third general practitioner in the district suburb of Güssing has been going on for around two years. The medical association has advertised the post in the community of around 4000 inhabitants a total of 19 times. 19 times there were no applicants. As a result, the debate among the population is quite heated due to the gaps in care.

Municipalities are under increasing financial pressure
The pressure from local authorities is also increasing. In the meantime, doctors are not only being offered compliance with the state's guidelines for rural doctor funding, but also a fully equipped surgery, additional funding for the purchase of surgery premises and appropriate living space. "In recent months, there have been huge calls for the municipality to find a solution to maintain medical care. People are already waiting for this and the current application gives us hope that the incentives we can provide as a municipality will have an effect," says Mayor Vinzenz Knor.

Approval from ÖGK a mere formality
As the ÖGK has yet to confirm the Güssing site, Knor is still waiting to see how much funding will actually be provided. "The talks will show that and they will start soon," says Knor.

Competition will not solve the problem
However, this is not the first time the district suburb has found itself in this situation. Even in the middle of the pandemic - in 2020 - they were looking for a doctor. Fortunately, a returnee was found in Dr. Robert Müller. Born in Burgau, he spent his entire professional career abroad and returned home at the age of 69. He wouldn't do that today, says Müller, he was driven by optimism. "The fact that municipalities have to compete to see who pays the most money won't solve the problem in the long term. Health insurance practices without family pharmacies are unprofitable due to the poor tariffs," says Müller, who is not thinking about quitting just yet. He definitely wants to continue as a general practitioner in Güssing until the end of 2025.

Jennersdorf: Success through financial incentives
It is no longer news that local authorities have to pay a high price to find applicants for GP posts. The best example is the municipality of Jennersdorf. There were already problems here 15 years ago when it came to filling the vacancies. With additional financial incentives, care has now been secured in the long term.