The German government’s commitment to the struggling care sector has been underscored by Health Minister Nina Warken, who announced further support measures ahead of National Care Day. While acknowledging the sector’s “high priority” and indispensable role in citizen wellbeing, Warken emphasized the urgent need to address issues beyond mere financial sustainability, specifically focusing on attracting and retaining skilled personnel. She points to improving the perceived attractiveness of care professions as a crucial element in tackling the workforce shortage.
Recent efforts to improve compensation for care workers, exceeding the previously mandated minimum wage, have been implemented, but Warken conceded that these measures are insufficient on their own. A new law, slated for parliamentary approval this week, aims to grant caregivers greater autonomy and reduce bureaucratic burdens by expanding their permissible actions based on demonstrated competence through further education and training.
However, the government’s initiatives are facing scrutiny. Eugen Brysch, head of the German Patient Protection Foundation, delivered a scathing critique, arguing that prior advancements like increased wages, mandated staffing ratios and dedicated hospital budgets have failed to translate into tangible improvements for those requiring care. He alleges a declining public trust in the entire care and health system.
Brysch’s analysis suggests that, rather than fostering a sense of partnership, patients and families feel increasingly financially burdened by substantial out-of-pocket expenses. He describes a shift from perceived participation to a feeling of dependency, criticizing what he sees as a politically motivated narrative positioning the care and health system solely as an escalating cost burden. This paints a complex picture – while the government pledges support, deep-rooted structural problems and a perceived disconnect between policy and patient experience continue to plague the German care sector.