The topic of discussion was competence-based work organization within the framework of the new approach to staffing levels. Prof. Dr. Darmann-Finck rejects the idea of increasing personalization without care facilities also having to take measures to develop their staff and implement competence-oriented work organization. 

Background: Until now, nursing services in inpatient long-term care – with the exception of delegated medical tasks – have often been distributed among employees in a non-transparent manner, without taking into account the qualifications and skills that employees have and that are necessary for the performance of their tasks. This work organization is uneconomical because, for example, nursing professionals perform tasks for which they are overqualified. At the same time, this approach can also lead to quality problems, as many tasks are performed by nursing assistants without training who do not have the necessary knowledge and skills. This lack of competence can lead to risks (e.g., pressure ulcer risk) not being noticed in time or the needs of people with challenging behavior not being recognized and therefore not addressed. Efficient staffing can therefore only be achieved on the basis of competence. More information about the project can be found here.

Since 2023, the negotiation of additional staffing in accordance with Section 113 c SGB XI (1) has been subject to the condition that personnel and organizational development measures be implemented to enable competence-oriented personnel deployment. It was recently announced that this provision in Section 113 c (3) is to be deleted in the future with the Act on the Expansion of Powers and Debureaucratization in Care.