Federal states push for more control over specialist doctors
Austria’s federal states are proposing that they take over responsibility for specialist medical care as part of wider healthcare reform talks, according to Der Standard. The proposal comes from a joint Länder position paper by state health ministers, shortly before reform talks are due to reach a conclusion by the end of June.
The paper says Austria’s healthcare system is under massive pressure and argues that the federal government, Länder and social insurance system should share risk in future. It also points to the way patients use the system and says Austria needs stronger rules for steering people through primary care before specialist or hospital care.
One possible change could be an obligation to get a referral before seeing a Facharzt or Fachärztin, though this has not been confirmed as a final reform. The Health Ministry described the Länder’s joint position as a “strong signal”, but did not comment directly on the call for state responsibility over specialist care.
READ ALSO:How Austria’s doctor shortages could affect your access to healthcare
Police and National Bank warn over QR-code payment scams
Austria’s Federal Criminal Police Office and the Austrian National Bank are warning people about quishing, a form of phishing that uses QR codes instead of visible links, according to the Federal Criminal Police Office and the Austrian National Bank. The scam can happen offline or online and is seen as especially risky because QR codes often open a website automatically on a smartphone.
Criminals use QR codes to send people to fake websites, such as fake bank or online shop pages. These sites can look very similar to the real ones, and in some cases the web address is made to appear deceptively close to the genuine site.
Experts advise people to be suspicious of unexpected emails or letters with generic wording, urgent pressure to act, or requests for personal details. They also warn against scanning QR codes out of curiosity and say people should always check the web address shown after scanning before entering any information.
READ ALSO:Police in Austria warn of new FinanzOnline scam targeting online banking users
Heatwave set to bring Austria’s hottest days of the year
Austria is heading for a heatwave later this week as hot air from the Iberian Peninsula and southern France moves into the Alpine region, according to ORF. Temperatures of up to 30C are already possible in isolated areas from Vorarlberg to Carinthia on Wednesday, before the hot air spreads across Austria by Friday.
The coming days are expected to feel oppressively humid, with afternoon temperatures of around 32C and, in some places, more than 35C at the weekend. That would make the coming days the hottest of the year so far, exceeding the 33.3C recorded in Haiming and Lienz on May 26th.
The hot spell is also expected to bring tropical nights, especially in urban areas, when temperatures do not fall below 20C. The heat is forecast to last at least until Sunday, although the outlook for early next week is still uncertain.
READ ALSO:Heatwave: Austria braces for temperatures up to 35C
Summer events expected to bring weekend traffic delays
Several major summer events are expected to bring delays, parking problems and local closures around the Wörthersee, in Klagenfurt, in the Wachau and in the Salzkammergut this weekend, according to ARBÖ. Drivers are being warned to expect heavier traffic around event sites and on key approach roads.
In Carinthia, the International Sports Car Festival runs in Velden from June 15th to June 21st, while the United World Games take place in Klagenfurt from June 18th to June 21st. In Upper Austria, the 5 Seen Radmarathon takes place in Mondsee on June 21st, with affected routes including the A1 near Mondsee and roads around Mondsee, Wolfgangsee, Hallstättersee and Attersee.
The Sommersonnenwende in the Wachau on June 20th is also expected to draw thousands of visitors to the Danube, with the B3 and B33 likely to be very busy. The ÖAMTC advises people who are not attending the celebrations to bypass the Wachau via the S33 and A1.
READ ALSO:When and where to avoid driving in Austria this summer
Worth reading
A new guide on what Europe’s new deal for airline passenger rights means for you explains the planned EU changes for delayed and cancelled flights, compensation, re-routing, carry-on luggage, boarding passes, no-show clauses and seating rules for children.
Members get access to this and other in-depth guides, explainers and practical stories on The Local Austria, helping readers understand how changes in European and Austrian rules may affect daily life, travel and money.
What’s happening in Austria today
Austria’s federal Cabinet meets in Vienna at 9 am, with a press foyer scheduled for around 10 am. Parliament’s day is mostly committee-based, including the Pilnacek inquiry at 10 am and the EU Main Committee at 11 am.
The signing period continues for five Volksbegehren, or citizens’ initiatives, until June 22nd. Eligible Austrian voters can sign online using ID Austria or in municipal signing offices. In Vienna, signing offices are open today from 8 am to 4 pm.
READ ALSO:3.2 percent: Why is inflation rising in Austria?
Statistik Austria is due to publish detailed May inflation figures today. An earlier flash estimate put inflation at 3.7 percent in May, up from 3.4 percent in April.
Transport disruption continues on the ÖBB Ostbahn until June 21st, affecting routes from Vienna towards Bratislava, Hegyeshalom, Pamhagen, Eisenstadt and Gramatneusiedl. The Feldkirch-Buchs SG rail closure also continues, adding time to journeys between Austria and Switzerland.
Austria play Jordan in their first World Cup group match at 6 am Austrian time, with ORF 1 coverage starting at 5 am (at time of publication, the team is leading 1-0). In Innsbruck, the World Climbing Series begins today and runs until June 21st.
Weather across Austria is forecast to be warm and changeable, with highs between 22C and 30C. Showers and isolated thunderstorms are possible, while the hotter spell is expected to build from Thursday.
READ ALSO:EXPLAINED: How can foreigners have their say in Austria?
Vocabulary
die Länder – Austria’s federal states
der Facharzt / die Fachärztin – specialist doctor
die Hitzewelle – heatwave
die Sommersonnenwende – summer solstice
das Volksbegehren – citizens’ initiative that eligible voters can sign
If you have any questions about life in Austria, ideas for articles, or news tips for The Local, you can contact us at news@thelocal.at or leave a comment below.
Comments