Order hospitals Austria: Federal President Van der Bellen praises medical care and humanitarian commitment
Vienna (OTS) – It was a special conversation and an appreciative exchange: The chairman of the ARGE of the religious order hospitals Austria, director Christian Lagger, and Sr. Barbara Lehner, managing director and general superior of the Elisabethinen Linz-Vienna, met Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in the presidential office at the beginning of the week.
Federal President Van der Bellen expressed his appreciation for the medical, but also the humanitarian commitment of the 23 religious hospitals, which are integrated into the Austrian care structure.
“Respect for human dignity at every stage of life is deeply rooted in our homes. Doing good IS lived daily in all of our homes based on the foundation of Christian charity. We help, accompany and support all people who need our help. Up to 15,000 uninsured patients are treated every year in the poor outpatient clinic of the Hospital of the Brothers of Mercy in Vienna,” emphasizes director Christian Lagger.
In focus: shortage of nursing staff
The focus was also on the shortage of nursing staff, with two central points being discussed: on the one hand, the financial dimension, and on the other hand, above all, the personal question that makes people take up the nursing profession and what framework conditions must be created so that there is no shortage of qualified specialist staff .
In the field of financing, the two representatives of the order hospitals, Christian Lagger and Sr. Barbara Lehner, pointed out the good cooperation with the countries. However, they would like it to be more firmly anchored and secured in the future 15a agreements between the federal and state governments.
“We would like to thank Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen for the joint exchange. We talked about many current topics, from cooperation between hospitals across federal state borders to reforms in the care sector,” emphasizes Christian Lagger.
Federal President Van der Bellen thanked Director Lagger and Sr. Barbara Lehner for the valuable discussion and for handing over the new publication of the local religious order hospitals “Faces of Faith – Hands of Help”.
MMedical excellence and major employers in the regions
The Ordenspital Österreich are non-profit hospitals which, as fund-financed hospitals, are commissioned with supply contracts in the regional structure plan for health (RSG) of the respective federal states and thus form an integral part of health care. Each of the 23 religious hospitals has its own focus. In 2020, 26,500 people were employed in the religious hospitals. The religious order hospitals are an important pillar of the Austrian health system and care for more than 1.8 million patients every year.
Faces of Faith – Hands of Help
In February 2022, the ARGE of the Austrian Order Hospitals presented the first joint publication of all 23 Order Hospitals in Austria. The book gives a reliable insight into the founding stories, the charisma, the profile and the achievements of the local religious order hospitals. The book offers a look into the past and into the present. Which religious orders are responsible for the hospitals? Who are the founding personalities and who are the people who work in a religious hospital today? More information: www.ordensgemeinschaften.at
Questions & contact:
Mag.a Renate Magerl
+43 660 7853626
renate.magerl@ordensgemeinschaften.at
Mag. Juergen Beilein
+43 664 8312841
ax@zbcom.at