Westphalia-Lippe Medical Association Urges Action to Strengthen Public Health Service

Münster – The Medical Association of Westphalia-Lippe (ÄKWL) has issued a strong call to both the federal and North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) state governments to develop a long-term strategy for bolstering the public health service (ÖGD). This appeal comes as the current pact supporting the ÖGD is set to expire at the end of the year, potentially jeopardizing recently created positions and ongoing digitalization projects.

Pact Expiration Threatens Progress

The ÄKWL expressed concern that negotiations to extend the pact and stabilize the ÖGD beyond 2027 have yielded no tangible results. According to the association, the federal government’s decision not to continue the pact from 2027 is already having negative consequences on staffing and infrastructure within the ÖGD, ultimately impacting public health and safety in Westphalia-Lippe [1].

The pact has been instrumental in enabling the ÖGD to hire additional specialists, modernize its IT infrastructure, implement new digital applications, and improve work processes. The ÄKWL warns that allowing the pact to lapse would reverse these gains.

Existing Deficits and Growing Demands

The chamber assembly highlighted that positions within health authorities are currently not being filled permanently, with temporary appointments only extending until the end of 2026. Existing positions are also under review. This situation is particularly alarming given that the ÖGD’s structural deficits were already apparent before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ÄKWL emphasized that these reductions are occurring at a time when the demands on the ÖGD are increasing due to factors such as climate change, social segregation, political and societal polarization, demographic challenges, and the consequences of wars and disasters. “Especially in times of crisis, health protection needs reliability, continuity and long-term planning security. Anyone who dismantles structures now not only weakens the ÖGD, but also endangers the crisis resilience of the entire health system,” warned Gehle.

Concerns Over Primary Care System Shift

In a separate resolution, the ÄKWL voiced concerns about the potential marginalization of the medical role in the planned transition to a primary doctor system. The association criticized the term “primary care practice,” noting that the word “doctor” is absent from the phrasing. While acknowledging the increasing importance of task delegation to qualified employees, the ÄKWL stressed that doctors ultimately retain overall responsibility for patient care [3].

“For us, it’s still about primary medical care – with an emphasis on medical,” emphasized the Chamber President.

Regional Context: Westphalia-Lippe

The Regional Association of Westphalia-Lippe (LWL) provides care and support, specialized knowledge, advice, and other services within the region [1]. The Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Westfalen-Lippe [Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians Westphalia-Lippe] also plays a role in healthcare within the region [2].