Sometimes pragmatic solutions are needed rather than lengthy discussions. This is what happened with the new list of freelance nurseswhich the Austrian Healthcare and Nursing Association (ÖGKV) recently put online. Within a few days, the overview was filled with dozens of entries from freelance nurses in Austria – a clear signal of the high demand.
End consumers can now search specifically for:
- Specialization (e.g. intensive care, wound care, child and adolescent care, palliative care …)
- Extended qualifications (e.g. diabetes counseling, cardiological care, oncological care …)
- Operational readiness (teleconsultation, night service, weekend service, emergency service)
- Federal state (regional availability)
This makes the list a low-threshold matching tool that quickly brings together demand and supply in the care sector.
“It was urgently necessary to create this overview,” explains Elisabeth Potzmann, President of the ÖGKV. “Because at the care level, we see that people are now being discharged from hospital earlier and at short notice – often at off-peak times such as Fridays. This has led to people needing support very quickly. But the mobile providers, the mobile home nursing services, have waiting times of several weeks. Freelance carers can fill this gap.”
Quick help instead of a long search
Until now, those affected could only be referred to the Austrian register of health professions, which was not an ideal situation according to Potzmann. With the new list, an easily accessible platform is now available for the first time: “You enter the criteria and immediately see which caregivers are working nearby. This is a low-threshold way for the public to find help quickly – and a way for freelance carers themselves to make their services visible.”
Linking with digital platforms
The list is not isolated, but is already linked to digital services such as Sondis. Sondis is a platform that supports lay carers in providing care. “If, for example, a carer documents abnormalities and the app recommends a specialist carer, someone nearby is automatically suggested. This creates a direct bridge from need to supply,” says Potzmann.
The list of freelance carers is still being compiled – if you are a freelance carer, please add your name to the list. And end consumers and those affected can find very low-threshold help and support. Attention (especially for our German readers): This is a list for Austria!
Our interview partner:
Elisabeth Potzmann, Acting President of the Austrian Healthcare and Nursing Association (ÖGKV).
Author: Anja Herberth
Chefredakteurin
