On his last German Care Day as Federal Minister of Health, Jens Spahn (CDU) almost called for a revolution. In the greeting at the opening of the annual industry meeting, which is again open to a limited audience, he spoke about the negotiating power of the nursing staff. They are wanted everywhere, in homes, hospitals and nursing services. “I would therefore like to encourage you,” said Spahn, pausing briefly, “not to go to a general strike – but to use this lever.” Applause broke out in Hall A4 of the Berlin “City Cube”.
After all, it doesn’t happen every day that a minister calls on the employees of an industry to finally organize themselves better in order to push through demands together – against employers, but also against politics. Because Spahn was honest enough to admit that the government had initiated and passed some laws to improve the pay and working conditions of nursing staff. And that he was convinced that he had shot at the problems “with full pipes”, according to the motto: “Let the water march”. But that many employees still have the impression that they only received a few drops of it.
In this respect, his contribution differed from the lawsuits that were brought before the care day as well as during its course – for example by the Green health politician Janosch Dahmen. Or from Christine Vogler, President of the German Nursing Council, the supreme body of the most important industry associations: She demanded 4,000 euros a month for all nursing staff, regardless of where they work.
The downward spiral has stopped, says the minister, but has not yet turned
“I can go with you,” replied Minister Spahn. Of course he knows that “good care costs”. Under his responsibility, however, many new positions have already been created that now have to be filled. Which is known to be difficult in view of the shortage of staff. Here, too, a lot had been achieved, during the pandemic the number of trainees was higher than ever before. The downward spiral has been stopped, summed up Spahn, but has not yet turned in the other direction.
Nursing Council President Vogler then drew a gloomy scenario that would be conceivable in Germany as early as the beginning of 2030 if the care system is not reformed: Nursing nomads are deployed in different houses as needed, supported by former unemployed people who were forced to provide care. Only the rich can still afford good care; euthanasia is available for everyone else. Not all is well in the care, said Vogler, addressing the minister, who had just urged the industry to talk more about the achievements and successes in the care.