Medical Professionals Rally Against "Dubious Medical Practices"
The NO Health Plan 2040+, a strategic health plan for Lower Austria, has sparked controversy due to concerns about its potential impact on emergency medical care, particularly in the town of Waidhofen/Ybbs. Local doctors, experts, and authorities have expressed worries that the plan could lead to the downgrading or closure of hospital emergency departments or the reduction of emergency services.
The crux of the issue lies in the proposed nationwide reduction of emergency medical support points from 31 to 21, which critics fear could lead to longer travel times for acute treatment and increased risks in medical emergencies. This is a cause for concern among doctors and experts, as generations of cardiologists have shown that for heart attacks or strokes, delaying treatment could cost lives.
In Waidhofen/Ybbs, the emergency medical support point is facing closure, and doctors are concerned about the relocation and rebuilding of well-functioning departments like the cardiac catheterization unit and urology at LKH Amstetten. They argue that a deterioration in medical quality is imminent due to these measures, and that a fighting autumn awaits them due to the NO Health Plan 2040+.
The plan describes emergency measures that assure a first aid team should be on site by helicopter or emergency doctor vehicle within 20 minutes. However, in case of emergency, doctors from Amstetten would have to drive for an hour to the rear Ybbstal if the emergency helicopter is deployed elsewhere or out of action due to bad weather. This prolonged response time could prove critical in emergency situations.
Moreover, emergency paramedics from the rescue stations often do not have the authorization to intubate and administer infusions, which could further delay lifesaving treatment.
The NO Health Plan 2040+ has faced criticism from doctors and experts in Waidhofen/Ybbs and the alpine hinterland. Thousands of publications, including from NO clinics, would confirm the importance of immediate treatment. Helmut Krenn, the former CEO of the NO clinics holding company, described the plan as a "superficial paper", a sentiment echoed by the renowned professor Michael Hirschl, who was significantly involved in NO clinics.
Local authorities are also voicing their concerns. Manuela Zebenholzer, the mayor of Hollenstein, is fighting against the NO Health Plan 2040+, seeing a disadvantage for the border region and Styrian areas. Eva Prischl, the health councillor, has stated that the NEF support points will be presented this summer, but it remains to be seen how these plans will address the concerns raised by local communities.
For those seeking the most current and specific information about the NO Health Plan 2040+ controversy in Waidhofen/Ybbs, it would be advisable to consult regional news outlets, official government communications from Lower Austria's health department, or local advocacy groups who are directly involved in the debate.
The NO Health Plan 2040+, with its proposed reduction of emergency medical support points, concerns cardiologists and experts due to potential increased risks in medical emergencies, as delaying treatment for heart attacks or strokes could cost lives. Furthermore, the downgrading or closure of hospital emergency departments, such as the cardiac catheterization unit and urology at LKH Amstetten, in Waidhofen/Ybbs could lead to a deterioration in medical quality, impacting health-and-wellness and cardiovascular health.
