Paramedics are seeking a resolution to the crisis. What happens if the emergency responders fail to arrive?

In the heart of the Rhein district, concerns about overstrain and inadequate medical care within the rescue services are on the rise. Michael Zellerhoff, a long-standing member of the rescue service and the current manager entrusted with the management of the service by the Kreisverwaltung, has highlighted staffing as the key issue.

Zellerhoff, a medical professional with a background in medicine, has worked part-time as a senior doctor in Grevenbroich and served as the medical director of the rescue service in the Rhein district. He emphasises the need for collective action to tackle the staffing issues, as all parties involved are integral parts of the rescue chain.

The out-of-hours GP service (116 117) is currently experiencing staff shortages, causing patients to call 112 instead. This, in turn, puts additional pressure on the already stretched rescue services. Zellerhoff encourages all parties to work together to address these challenges.

The Rhein-Kreis Neuss is equipped with 19 ambulance vehicles, 10 patient transport vehicles, and 5 emergency doctor vehicles. However, at times, the entire fleet cannot be utilised due to a lack of trained personnel. This situation is further compounded by the increasing number of deployments, which rose from 83,000 in 2021 to 93,000 in 2022.

Driving to hospitals outside the Rhein district for emergency services not only consumes valuable time but also becomes a problem with the constantly increasing number of deployments. For a long time, emergency vehicles from hospitals outside the district have been used for such purposes.

In an effort to alleviate these issues, the five-year rescue service plan includes the purchase of three additional patient transport vehicles and one ambulance. This investment is aimed at improving the response times and ensuring the continued safety of the district's residents.

Despite the high workload, Zellerhoff reports no patient harm so far. However, the emergency rooms in hospitals in the Rhein district are extremely busy, indicating the need for improved coordination between doctors, hospitals, and the rescue service. Zellerhoff stresses the importance of good cooperation to ensure continued safety and efficient care.

The shortage of skilled professionals in the Rhein district is a challenge that Zellerhoff hopes to tackle head-on. He highlights the interesting and varied nature of working in the rescue service, as well as the opportunity to help people, as incentives for potential recruits.

In conclusion, the staffing issues in the Rhein district's rescue services are a matter of utmost importance. With collective action and a focus on recruitment, it is hoped that the district can continue to provide timely and effective emergency care to its residents.

Paramedics are seeking a resolution to the crisis. What happens if the emergency responders fail to arrive?