The planned overhaul of Germany’s healthcare system is facing mounting criticism regarding its preparedness for emergency medical transport, with the head of DRF Luftrettung, Krystian Pracz, issuing a stark warning about inadequate infrastructure and logistical shortcomings. Pracz, leading Germany’s second-largest non-profit air ambulance service, argues that the current focus on clinic closures neglects a fundamental requirement: the ability to rapidly and safely transport patients to specialized care.
Pracz highlighted the absurdity of some clinics lacking sufficient landing space, forcing emergency crews to operate from improvised locations. He insists that strategically placed helipads are crucial, particularly given the projected consolidation of hospitals under the reform, which will concentrate patient volume into fewer facilities. Beyond physical landing zones, Pracz champions the implementation of “Points in Space” (PinS) technology, a virtual GPS-referenced landing point that would allow helicopters to navigate through cloud cover and potentially land on hospital rooftops – a currently prohibited practice despite technological feasibility. He believes every major clinic should be equipped with a PinS. A pilot project utilizing the technology is slated to begin next year in Schleswig-Holstein.
The criticism extends beyond landing infrastructure. Pracz expressed concern over “unnecessary intermediate stops” – situations where patients diverted to local hospitals for initial assessment, could have been flown directly to specialized facilities. He calls for the establishment of clear structural frameworks within the reformed healthcare system to facilitate direct, optimized intensive care transfers between clinics, arguing that effective planning is contingent on identifying which institutions will remain operational.
While acknowledging the expanded reach of air ambulance services (“Our helicopters have such large operational ranges that a clinic with the necessary expertise is always accessible”), Pracz anticipates an increase in air ambulance stations in the coming years. He also addressed the issue of over-utilization, stating that in 50-60% of cases, patients are not ultimately transported by air ambulance, often due to a perceived escalation of the situation by those involved.
However, the most pointed critique centers on the fragmented nature of Germany’s emergency response dispatches. With over 200 separate dispatch centers operating under varying state regulations, Pracz argues for a unified system with greater discretionary power for dispatchers. He notes that certain trigger words automatically initiate helicopter deployment, leading to unnecessary activations. DRF Luftrettung’s chief emphasizes a shift in perception: the rescue helicopter is now an integral component of the emergency services framework, demanding a more streamlined and coordinated operational strategy to truly fulfill its potential under the evolving healthcare landscape. The question remains whether the current reform prioritizes efficiency at the expense of crucial emergency access capabilities.
