[Investment in childcare facilities as task of the State and the Federal Countries]
Rüdiger Strehl 11 Association of the German University Hospitals, Berlin, Germany
Abstract
Traditionally hospitals and university hospitals have had a high proportion of women and were therefore always faced with the problem of childcare. As a result of the changing perception of family roles (both parents working, men playing a bigger part in childcare), the demand for appropriate support is growing.
Compared to other federal states, Baden-Württemberg is lagging behind in the provision of childcare facilities and needs to catch up and seriously expand capacities. This first of all requires investment and despite the ban of cooperation the federal government could do more, especially for medical schools in the universities. There is also, however, the issue of operating costs, which university hospitals cannot carry on their own. Public investment so far needs to be stepped up.
In terms of distribution, employee representation has a strong legal position. All practical experience suggests that they tend to lobby for quotas according to social aspects. This sometimes leads to other professional groups relevant to university hospitals and couples being disadvantaged.
So the necessary measures are clear: more state and federal money for investment and operating childcare facilities but also staff representation laws of Baden-Württemberg could also do with an update to make them more family-friendly.
Competing interests
The author declares that he has no competing interests.
