Charité Warns of Potential Elimination of 200 Educational Positions
The Berlin Senate Administration has announced plans to reduce subsidies to the Charité University Hospital over the next decade. This decision comes as universities, including the Charité, face cuts of around 140 million euros this year.
The exact planning for these changes depends on the decision of the Senate and the vote of the House of Representatives. However, it is clear that the Charité's subsidies from the science administration will increase less in the coming years than originally agreed in university contracts.
The reduced subsidy is not enough to compensate for wage increases and inflation, posing a challenge for the hospital. As a result, the Charité may need to reduce the number of study places in the future, with annual reductions of 60 for human medicine, 20 for dentistry, 30 for midwifery, and 14 for health sciences.
These positions are urgently needed for the training of doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, and health scientists. The Charité may have to cut around 10 to 14 percent of its teaching staff, amounting to approximately 200 positions. These cuts do not pose a threat to enrolled students, as currently enrolled students at the Charité will be guaranteed a degree.
The cuts are a significant blow to the Charité, which is one of Europe's largest university hospitals. The hospital's annual subsidy was originally planned to increase by five percent, but is now expected to be between one and three percent instead. This reduction in funding could impact the quality of education and research at the hospital.
Despite these challenges, the Charité remains committed to providing high-quality education and training to its students. The hospital is working closely with the Senate and the House of Representatives to find solutions that will allow it to continue its important work.
In the meantime, the Charité is urging the Senate and the House of Representatives to reconsider the cuts and to provide the necessary funding to ensure the continued success of the hospital and its students. Only with adequate funding can the Charité continue to play its vital role in educating the next generation of doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, and health scientists.
