Germany's Health Minister Linnemann outlines plans to reduce patient waiting times

Newly appointed German Health Minister Carsten Linnemann has outlined plans to address long waiting times for patients with statutory health insurance. Following statements by Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding fairness between private and statutory insurance, Linnemann is focusing on organizational reforms to better manage patient flows within the healthcare system.

Key proposals include an emergency reform designed to direct patients toward appropriate medical services and a government draft introducing a mandatory primary care physician (Hausarztpflicht) to act as the first point of contact before referrals to specialists. Additionally, discussions have emerged regarding potential savings in civil servant health benefits.

In Hamburg, Health Senator Melanie Schlotzhauer has also called for binding patient steering and suggested that the current opening hours of medical practices should be reconsidered, including the possibility of weekend openings.