Outpatient care services in financial distress: Diakonie survey predicts high deficits for 2023.

Outpatient care services in financial distress: Diakonie survey predicts high deficits for 2023.

According to a report by www.tag24.de,

The economic situation of outpatient care services in Germany is getting worse according to a survey by Diakonie Deutschland. 72.7 percent of the outpatient care services surveyed assessed their economic situation as tense. 54 percent ended 2022 with an annual deficit, and 62 percent expect another negative result in 2023. About a third of the services only have a liquidity reserve of three months or less. Almost one in ten services considers their situation to be so existentially threatened that they may have to close in the next two years.

The serious financial problems of outpatient care services in Germany have an impact on the market and the financial sector. The insolvency of nursing services and diakonia centers can lead to job losses and increases the pressure on public health care. The survey also highlights the already known shortage of skilled workers in the healthcare sector and the serious financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The financial sector will have to prepare for increasing risks of default, as the tense financial situation of many care services leads to late payments and economic bottlenecks. Investments and loans in the care sector must be carefully examined to minimize the risk of default and insolvency.

Politicians are required to take measures to stabilize the economic situation of outpatient care services and to support the care sector as a whole. Measures such as increasing nursing remuneration and promoting training and further education programs for nursing staff could help improve the situation and reduce financial risks for investors.