Police operation in care home

Carer dialed emergency number due to staff shortage

Austria is not the only country with an acute shortage of nursing staff; the problem is also all too familiar in Germany. An extraordinary emergency measure has now had to be taken in a retirement home in Berlin. 

Late on Monday evening, a carer alerted the police, fire department and emergency services in search of a specialist who could take over the next shift. The woman had not been able to reach anyone from her team to whom she could hand over the care of around 170 patients.

Only two assistants were present in the retirement home apart from the nurse, but they were not authorized to administer medication, said a police spokeswoman. The home management had not been able to reach the nurse, so she had no other option.

Home management was able to take over care themselves after all
It was only when the emergency services arrived on the scene that the home management showed up and was able to provide care "under their own steam" so that the police and fire department were able to leave.