"Pflege-Vor-Ort-Tour": Minister of Social Affairs Nonnemacher visits Oberspreewald-Lausitz

There, she spoke with BTU President Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande and scientists.

Care support points are independent advice centers for all questions relating to care. The care support center in Senftenberg has been a contact point for people seeking help in the district for over twelve years.

Social Affairs Minister Ursula Nonnemacher: "With specific projects from the Pact for Care, we are working with all partners to provide targeted support and relief for people in need of care and their relatives. The care support centers are important anchors in the state.They offer independent advice on rights and obligations under the Social Security Codes. The Ministry of Social Affairs supports the counties and independent cities in further expanding this advisory service for people in need of care. Around two million euros per year are available from the state budget."

District Administrator Siegurd Heinze: "Care is an important and often necessary way of providing assistance, for example for relatives. Many only deal with the topic when care becomes necessary for themselves or others. The many different options, financial and legal issues can quickly make people feel insecure. I'm pleased that the care support point has established itself as a competent advice center and that this year it has been possible to improve the service even further with mobile consultations and make it available regionally."

During the visit to the BTU, the focus was on the nursing science degree program and projects to implement the Nursing Professions Act. The study program in nursing science in Senftenberg was introduced with the introduction of the Nursing Professions Act in 2020, after it had already been tested since 2013 as part of a model study program.

Social Minister Nonnemacher: "Nursing needs well-trained specialists. The need for nursing specialists is high. According to current forecasts, Brandenburg alone will have a shortage of more than 10,000 nursing staff by 2030 if current conditions continue unchanged. I am glad that we are facing this challenge with theBTU Cottbus-Senftenberg.By studying nursing science, the scientific competencies of professional nurses will be strengthened to ensure nursing care that is fit for the future."

BTU President Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande: "The health sciences and biotechnology form the pillars of the health campus in Senftenberg. With our innovative degree programs, we contribute to the academization of the health professions from the bachelor's to the master's to the doctorate and strengthen health care in the region. In close cooperation with non-university research institutions and companies, the site continues to develop its profile as a center of biotechnological, health science and medical research."

The Brandenburg Pact for Care aims to strengthen and sustainably stabilize local home care in particular. People in need of care and their relatives, especially in rural areas, are to be relieved, advisory structures are to be expanded and the securing of skilled workers in care is to be promoted through attractive training and employment conditions. At the end of 2020, Social Minister Nonnemacher signed the Pact for Care with the member organizations of the State Care Committee.

Press contacts

Gabriel Hesse Press Officer Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Integration and Consumer Protection of the State of Brandenburg, T +49 (0)331 866-5040 / -5044 E gabriel.hesse(at)msgiv.brandenburg.de

Nora Bielitz Press Spokeswoman District of Oberspreewald-Lausitz, T. +49 (0)3573 870-1003 E Nora-Bielitz(at)osl-online.de

Ralf-Peter Witzmann, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Communications and Marketing Office, T +49 (0)3573 85 283 E ralf-peter.witzmann(at)b-tu.de