Strike committee of the Ottakring clinic calls on Viennese to show solidarity

Annual report of the patient advocacy objectifies fears of patient endangerment – WiGev “fact check” ignores demands

Vienna (OTS) – “We call on all Viennese to show solidarity with the warning strike at the central emergency room of the Ottakring Clinic,” announced the spokesmen of the strike committee, Aglaia Kotal and Severin Ehrengruber today, Friday. “It’s not just about our working conditions. If the current annual report from the patient advocacy has shown one thing, it is that a lack of staff in the hospital is putting human life at risk,” Aglaia Kotal is convinced. The patient advocacy report objectifies the fears of the medical staff in the central emergency room at the Ottakring Clinic.

In order to be able to continue or fully fulfill their duty of care for the Viennese population, the doctors at the Central Emergency Room (ZNA) therefore demand:

1. At least 20 percent more medical staff for the department
2. A significant increase in the ZNA allowance to adequately compensate for the mentally and physically demanding work in an emergency room
3. A fair distribution of emergency access routes to all emergency rooms in Vienna, adjusted to the number of staff and the actual bed capacities
4. Contemporary equipment with critical infrastructure, such as the conversion of the shock room

WiGev “fact check” ignores demands

The so-called “fact check” published by the Vienna Health Association (WiGev) ignores these demands.

“Obviously the demands were not read carefully. We are calling for the number of posts to be increased to 40. There is also an urgent need to increase the number of nursing posts, as these are currently set far too low. The demanded increase in the allowance in order to be attractive for new staff is not addressed at all,” Ehrengruber is surprised.

“I would be interested in the name of the bedding manager. If this person exists, I have not heard anything from them in my daily work. We are also pleased that in the course of the strike announcement we received a decommissioned ultrasound loaner and an additional one without a battery. Unfortunately, for obvious reasons, both are not practical for use in the emergency room,” Kotal comments on the “fact check”.

In principle, it is welcome that an attempt is now being made to respond to the demands, at least in the media, by means of a “fact check”. There were also ongoing discussions with the head of the department and the medical director of the clinic. “The only ones who don’t talk to us are the General Directorate of WiGev and the City of Vienna, to whom our demands are actually directed. In this respect, it is at least strange that they in particular are now appealing to our willingness to talk,” says Ehrengruber.

The strike committee does not understand the refusal of the rescue ban for the duration of the warning strike by the General Directorate of the WiGev and the City of Vienna. “Obviously the political leaders want to do everything to prevent this strike – except to respond to our demands. A willingness to talk about this would be the most urgent necessity in terms of the best care for the Viennese population. We are still hoping for a written offer from the General Directorate of the WiGev or the City of Vienna. If this does not happen, we would like to invite the whole of Vienna to join us on June 30th at 10 a.m. in front of the Ottakring Clinic to send a loud signal against the health emergency in the Viennese hospitals,” said Kotal and Ehrengruber in unison.

Questions & contact:
Spokespersons of the strike committee
the central emergency department
the Ottakring Clinic

Dr. Severin Ehrengruber
+43 650 9432844
[email protected]

Dr.in Aglaia Kotal, BA, MA
+43 680 5578665
[email protected]

What are some specific demands related to emergency access routes that were not addressed by the WiGev “fact check”?

They clearly have not properly assessed the current situation in the central emergency room,” Kotal adds.

The WiGev “fact check,” which supposedly examined the claims made by the strike committee, has come under fire for its lack of thoroughness. It seems to have selectively chosen which demands to address and conveniently ignored others.

“The fact that they did not mention the need for a fair distribution of emergency access routes is particularly striking. This is a crucial aspect that affects the response time and ultimately the safety of patients,” Kotal emphasizes.

The patient advocacy report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action in the Ottakring Clinic. It highlights the risks posed to patients due to understaffing and inadequate resources.

“We cannot emphasize enough how important it is for the public to understand the gravity of this situation. Lives are at stake, and without significant changes, we fear that patient endangerment will continue to be a reality,” Ehrengruber warns.

The strike committee urges the public to show solidarity and support for the warning strike at the Ottakring Clinic. They believe that by raising awareness and putting pressure on the authorities, meaningful changes can be achieved.

“We hope that by bringing attention to this issue, we can finally initiate the reforms necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of both patients and medical staff,” Kotal concludes.