Future situation even more tense
Every second outpatient care service is in the red
November 11, 2023, 10:55 a.m
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The majority of those in need of care in Germany are cared for at home. Outpatient care services are a central pillar of this. But they are currently struggling, as a Diakonie survey shows. The economic situation is therefore tense and threatens to get even worse.
The economic situation for outpatient care services in Germany is worsening according to a survey by Diakonie Deutschland. Accordingly, 72.7 percent of the Diakonie outpatient care services surveyed assessed their economic situation as tense. 54 percent would have already ended 2022 with an annual deficit. Diakonie Germany said 62 percent expected a negative result for 2023. Most recently, the Diakonie in Passau had to file for bankruptcy due to financial problems.
The survey showed that around a third of outpatient care services only have a liquidity reserve of three months or less. Almost one in ten services see their situation as being at such an existential risk that they may have to close in the next two years. The background is a shortage of skilled workers, late payments and significantly increased costs in relation to the remuneration paid.
Almost five million people in need of care
“The survey is an alarm signal. Home care for people in need of care is at acute risk. Because outpatient care services are an indispensable pillar of our health system,” says Diakonie social director Maria Loheide. Of the approximately 4.9 million people in need of care in Germany, 84 percent are cared for at home.
Diakonie Deutschland is calling for immediate measures to stabilize the economic situation of the services: “The care services cannot permanently make advance payments. We need better payment practices. Tariff increases must be taken into account immediately in the remuneration, remuneration negotiations must not be delayed,” said Loheide.
The Diakonie’s online survey took place in summer 2023. According to the information, 526 providers of outpatient care services/diaconate stations took part in the survey, some of which operate several outpatient care services. This corresponds to a participation in the survey of 45 percent.