Health haven in Bremerhaven: New hope against the shortage of doctors!

Health haven in Bremerhaven: New hope against the shortage of doctors!

Something is happening in healthcare in Bremerhaven! The new project name “Gesundheitshaven” is on the program, a project by the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KV) and the statutory health insurance companies in the state of Bremen, which is intended to provide a breath of fresh air in northern Bremen. The official start of operations is planned for early 2026, while renovation work on the premises is already in full swing. The aim of the project is to address the shortage of doctors in the region, especially as many general practitioners will be retiring in the next few years. As butenunbinnen.de reports, three positions for general practitioners and pediatricians are to be created.

The need is obvious: the current level of care is only 92 percent for general practitioners and only 80 percent for pediatricians. The high proportion of older doctors is worrying; every second family doctor is already over the age of sixty. In order to close this gap, KV Bremen has developed a concept that enables the employment of doctors in a structured environment. By creating suitable premises and a comprehensive practice infrastructure, it is easier for doctors to get started. This is also supported by kvhb.de.

Attractive conditions for medical professionals

The employees should receive a fixed salary in line with the market, which is supplemented by a variable portion that depends on the number of cases. Part of this variable salary goes into a personal fund, which later makes it easier to set up or take over your own practice in Bremerhaven. The aim is to make it attractive to young doctors in particular to become self-employed without having to take an economic risk. This is a welcome development, especially considering the funding from regional health insurance companies, which provide around 400,000 euros annually to support the project.

The search for doctors has begun

Another step to combat the shortage of doctors is the introduction of retention and starter bonuses, which should be available from October 1, 2024. These incentives are intended for various specialties, including family physicians and pediatricians. According to vdek.com, child and adolescent psychiatrists who set up shop in Bremerhaven receive generous bonuses, which are supplemented by a fee surcharge of 20 percent for the first two years.

The shortage of doctors in Bremerhaven has already reached worrying proportions: the level of care for child and adolescent psychiatrists has even fallen to 0 percent after the last specialist closed her practice. Despite considerable efforts, no new specialist has been recruited for this crucial specialty. In view of these circumstances, the commitment of KV Bremen and the statutory health insurance companies becomes even more important in order to make medical care in Bremerhaven future-proof.

The acquisition of interested doctors is already in full swing and KV Bremen is available to provide further information and contacts. The health haven could be the solution to many problems in the region's healthcare system and represent an important contact point for patients and doctors alike.