Care Shortage Association: Foreign Care Workers Hold Up Months for Recognition in Germany
- No Time for Red Tape
Care providers pending long-term acknowledgment - Healthcare Professionals Face Lengthy Delays in Receiving Acknowledgment
It's a crisis in care facilities across Germany, with thousands of trained foreign care workers waiting months for recognition. They're sitting idly, ready and willing to help, but red tape stands in their way, according to the Federal Association of Private Providers of Social Services (bpa).
As Bernd Meurer, president of the bpa, told German Press Agency in Berlin, "Care-dependent people and their families urgently need support, but the recognition procedures are taking an average of 500 days." That's a whole year and a half of waiting, when what they need is fast and efficient care.
This delay leaves around 11,000 trained care workers from overseas unable to work as specialists due to the arduous recognition process. These skilled professionals, currently employed only as assistants, have the expertise to serve food, help with washing, but they can't administer medication or care for others independently.
"Eager Paper Pushing"
Meurer claimed that Germany should welcome international talent with open arms, but in practice, there's a lack of regulation and mistrust. Many responsible authorities are overwhelmed by their own staff shortages, leading to bureaucratic delays.
"The focus should be on supply security, and not the eager paper-pushing," Meurer said. With staff shortages in the care sector, organizations need to turn away many seekers.
A Quick Fix
To put an end to this issue, the new government, under Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU), should modify the Care Profession Act. Those affected could be immediately employed as specialists, with any necessary reviews taking place afterward. Meurer proposes this change only for applicants with a minimum of a three-year training and proficient language skills.
What could happen with faster procedures?
Although each federal state proceeds differently, Bavaria has relatively swift procedures. When questioned about potential risks to patient safety if less thoroughness from authorities were to occur, Meurer suggested that many requirements relate to basic care.
"The workers naturally master this, but have not formally completed it in their home countries because the teaching plans are often focused on specialist tasks," Meurer stated.
Spotlight on the Impact of Recognition Delays
The overly long recognition process not only worsens the current crisis in the care sector but also affects the quality of care, as well as the overall well-being of care workers. By implementing faster recognition procedures, Germany stands to improve both care quality and staff shortages in the care sector.
Faster recognition also means that care workers can access training and integration programs sooner, enabling them to adapt to Germany’s healthcare standards more efficiently. Additionally, quicker recognition processes may lead to higher job satisfaction, lowering frustration and uncertainty during employment transitions.
As Germany continues to grapple with its care shortages, swift action is needed to streamline recognition procedures for foreign care workers. This can be achieved by implementing measures such as digital visa programs and simplifying job-specific regulations to make it easier for foreign professionals to integrate into Germany's healthcare system.
- The Federal Association of Private Providers of Social Services (bpa) has emphasized that the prolonged recognition process for foreign care workers is a significant issue, taking an average of 500 days, causing delays in providing care to those in need.
- Bernd Meurer, president of the bpa, has advocated for changes in the Care Profession Act to expedite the process, allowing skilled foreign care workers with a minimum of a three-year training and proficient language skills to be immediately employed as specialists, with subsequent reviews.
- Meurer also pointed out that many care workers from overseas have the expertise to perform tasks such as serving food and helping with washing, but due to the arduous recognition process, they are currently only employed as assistants and cannot administer medication or care for others independently.
- In the context of policy-and-legislation, Meurer suggested that Germany should focus on supply security rather than the "eager paper-pushing," aiming to reduce bureaucratic delays caused by overwhelmed authorities and mistrust.
- The overly long recognition process not only exacerbates the care sector crisis but also impacts the health-and-wellness of care workers, as faster recognition procedures could lead to improved care quality, job satisfaction, and more efficient integration into Germany's healthcare system.
