Focus on Hamburg's healthcare location: Nursing staff urgently needed!

Focus on Hamburg's healthcare location: Nursing staff urgently needed!

Hamburg is proving to be an up-and-coming location in the healthcare industry. Around 186,000 people work in the healthcare industry here, and the Chamber of Commerce has now presented a strategy that is intended to further strengthen the location. The focus of the new initiative? The recruitment of healthcare professionals. This is particularly relevant because, as NDR reports, the shortage of nursing staff is also becoming increasingly noticeable in northern Germany.

A central point of the strategy includes faster recognition of foreign qualifications in the health sector. Currently, this process often takes over a year - a time that many potential skilled workers cannot or do not want to wait. However, model projects in the past have shown that recognition is possible within twelve weeks. This should be made standard in the future. The pressure is great because, last but not least, 30% of patients come from the surrounding area, which underlines the need for good professional staff.

Focus on training and digitalization

Another aspect of the strategy concerns the training of nursing specialists. The CDU has called for additional measures to strengthen training, including the admission of more teachers. The training model should be designed to be practical, especially in social education professions. In addition, the Chamber of Commerce and the Asklepios Clinics plan to accept experienced nursing staff without a degree as trainers. A sensible decision, as practical experience can often be a valuable resource.

The healthcare industry in Hamburg is not only dependent on recruiting skilled workers; Digital change is also an important topic. The strategy envisages improved networking with neighboring northern German states. Comprehensive digitalization could ultimately bring lasting relief to existing resources and appeal to the 47 percent of respondents who believe better staffing is necessary to increase the attractiveness of the industry.

How important is salary?

The question of payment is unavoidable. According to a study by PwC, an appropriate salary is classified as the most important incentive for appreciation in nursing. Among those willing to change, unemployed people and recent graduates in the last three years, 68 percent said that pay was crucial to staying in nursing in the long term. Better working hours and improved staffing also play a role, but only 49 percent and 47 percent of those surveyed said this.

The question remains whether the healthcare industry in Hamburg has the necessary skills to attract both young talent and experienced specialists. Finding the right mix of salary, working hours and recognition could prove to be the key to solving the skills shortage. A truly challenging but also attractive path for the future of Hamburg's healthcare landscape.