New Caritas Inpatient Hospice Opens in Vienna

In a significant advancement for end-of-life care, the Caritas organization has inaugurated its first inpatient hospice in Vienna-Liesing. The opening ceremony was attended by key officials, including the Federal Minister for Health, Korinna Schumann, and the Director of Caritas, Klaus Schwertner.

The new facility aims to provide a dignified living environment for patients with terminal illnesses, allowing them to receive compassionate care until the end of their lives. Schwertner highlighted the importance of the hospice as a culmination of efforts initiated by the Hospice and Palliative Care Fund Act introduced in 2022, which has begun to address the historical lack of hospice services in Austria.

For decades, the need for hospice and palliative care in Austria has been significant, often relying on charitable donations and the dedication of trained volunteers due to insufficient government funding. The recent legislation represents a turning point, establishing a framework for regular funding and accelerating the expansion of hospice services across the country.

Minister Schumann emphasized the importance of focusing on the needs of seriously ill individuals and their families, underscoring the government's commitment to enhancing hospice and palliative care. She expressed her dedication to implementing further steps to improve support for this vulnerable group.

Stadtrat Peter Hacker noted the visible improvements resulting from the Hospice and Palliative Care Fund Act, referencing the recent opening of a new day hospice in another district. He stated that the collaboration between federal and local authorities, social insurance, and non-governmental organizations is yielding positive results for patients and their families.

Susanne Winkler, Managing Director of the Social Fund Vienna, highlighted the diverse range of hospice and palliative services being implemented in collaboration with multiple partner organizations. The opening of the Caritas inpatient hospice marks a crucial step in fulfilling the objectives outlined in the Hospice and Palliative Care Fund Act.

Despite these advancements, the demand for palliative care continues to be high, with many patients receiving care in hospitals, home healthcare services, or nursing homes without specialized palliative options. Schwertner called for further efforts to ensure that quality palliative care is accessible in all settings, advocating for a legal right to such services for those in need.

The Caritas inpatient hospice, with 16 beds, is now the largest of its kind in Vienna. Caritas has been a pioneer in hospice care for nearly four decades, providing mobile support to thousands of patients and their families. In the previous year alone, approximately 2,280 individuals received care through Caritas's mobile hospice services in Vienna and Lower Austria.

Additionally, the day hospice located in the 23rd district of Vienna reported 232 visits, supported by a dedicated team of 70 full-time employees and 262 volunteers who contributed nearly 16,000 hours of service in the past year. The commitment to ensuring that no one has to face their final journey alone reflects the organization's dedication to compassionate care.

While many services rely on ongoing donations, Caritas continues to call upon the community for support to maintain these vital services for patients and their families.

For more information, visit www.caritas-hospiz.at.