Number has risen sharply

Almost 10,000 Salzburg residents waiting for an operation

Due to a lack of nursing staff, waiting times for planned operations have risen massively in a number of Salzburg hospitals.(Bild: Groh Klemens)

The staff shortage at the clinics is having a severe impact on patients. They are currently waiting up to 43 weeks for new hips or knees.

Children with hearing difficulties are currently facing unreasonable waiting times in Salzburg. As the "Krone" newspaper revealed, they have to wait up to three quarters of a year for tonsil operations at the ENT University Hospital. According to the Salzburg regional hospitals, the reason for this is the severe shortage of nursing staff. Adults with chronic inflammatory ear diseases also suffer the same fate as affected children, says a specialist. He says, "If you know someone, it goes faster." However, the regional clinics deny that privately insured patients can be seen more quickly.