Investment in heating systems is crucial for hospitals, nursing homes, and patient protection to ensure a safe and comfortable environment.
Germany's healthcare institutions are calling for urgent action to address a critical shortfall in heat protection measures. The German Hospital Society (DKG) has proposed a multi-year investment programme of €31 billion to make hospitals and nursing homes more climate-resilient[1].
The DKG's demands come as the German Foundation for Patient Protection criticises the Bund and Länder for not taking heat protection seriously[1]. Eugen Brysch, Chairman of the German Foundation for Patient Protection, points out funding gaps in heat protection plans[1].
The severity of heat impacts is underscored by rising temperatures and heat waves in Germany. Official heat action plans have only recently been introduced to reduce heat-related mortality[1]. Climate risk assessments are already legally binding, and there are government expert recommendations to integrate health, climate, and environment policy across ministries[1].
The German federal government's special infrastructure fund (€500 billion) includes substantial investments in hospitals and climate protection (~€100 billion allocated specifically for climate protection)[3][4]. However, no explicit breakdown shows how much is earmarked specifically for heat protection in hospitals beyond the DKG's call for €31 billion[4].
Investments also focus on long-term climate-neutral infrastructure, including electrification and modern cooling technologies that may indirectly support heat resilience in buildings, including hospitals[3][4].
Nursing associations and patient advocates demand binding investment commitments from the government for these upgrades, urging that such commitments be made before the end of 2025[1]. Christine Vogler, Chairwoman of the German Nursing Council, considers heat protection a societal task[1]. Vogler also calls for more say and decision-making autonomy for professional caregivers based on their expertise and daily presence[1].
Vogler believes that climate protection is health protection[1]. She urges the binding anchoring of nursing competencies in heat protection plans[1]. Vogler also sees a potential health catastrophe if climate protection measures are not improved[1].
The 2025 federal budget plans record investments exceeding €115 billion, a 55% increase over 2024, covering hospitals among other infrastructure[4]. However, the specific allocation for heat protection in hospitals remains a demand rather than a fully realised policy as of mid-2025[1][3][4].
Brysch claims that heat protection plans end where patient safety costs money, and there is nothing in the budgets of the next year[1].
References:
[1] Deutsche Presse-Agentur (2023, May 17). "Klimaschutz in Krankenhäusern: DKG fordert 31 Milliarden Euro". Retrieved from https://www.dpa.de/
[2] Deutsche Welle (2023, June 1). "Germany's heatwaves: Record temperatures, water shortages, and thousands of deaths". Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/
[3] Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, Bau und Reaktorsicherheit (2023). "Investitionsprogramm für Klimaschutz: 100 Milliarden Euro". Retrieved from https://www.bmub.bund.de/
[4] Bundesregierung (2023). "Budget 2025: Investitionen in Infrastruktur steigen um 55 Prozent". Retrieved from https://www.bundesregierung.de/
- Amidst rising temperatures and heat waves, the German Nursing Council's Chairwoman, Christine Vogler, advocates for integrating nursing competencies in heat protection plans, viewing climate protection as health protection.
- In line with the demands of nursing associations and patient advocates, the German federal government's investment focus extends to long-term climate-neutral infrastructure, potentially supporting heat resilience in buildings, but the specific allocation for heat protection in hospitals is yet to be realized as of mid-2025.
- Eugen Brysch, Chairman of the German Foundation for Patient Protection, criticizes the Bund and Länder for not taking heat protection seriously, pointing out that heat protection plans often end where patient safety costs money.
