Ombudswoman offers conflict resolution help for nursing trainees

The President of the State Office for Health and Social Affairs (Lageso), Alexander Straßmeir, appointed the first honorary ombudswoman, Annette von Lersner-Wolff, at the Senate Department for Long-Time Care on Tuesday. An ombudsperson's office for trainees under the Nursing Professions Act has already been set up at the Lageso. The ombudswomen there will start on March 1, said Lersner-Wolff. The main intention is to support trainees in crises. She hopes to gain their trust and wants to treat their concerns confidentially and neutrally.

The aim of this free service is to improve job training in the care sector and prevent trainees from dropping out. Trainees should be able to report disputes with the providers of practical training at a low threshold. According to the authorities, Lersner-Wolff, a fully qualified lawyer, has been retired for around a year and previously worked in the Berlin administration for more than 30 years, including in the care sector. Lersner-Wolff said that possible problems for trainees include the reality of practical training, staff shortages and possibly also psychological stress.

Berlin's Senator for Long-Time Care Ina Czyborra (SPD) said she was pleased to be able to fulfill a promise from the coalition agreement. When it comes to nursing training, which is important for securing a skilled workforce, it is becoming increasingly apparent that funding alone does not always lead to the desired success. More and more often, there are indications of other reasons, such as conflicts between trainees and training institutions. "The pandemic has also left its mark on care facilities and hospitals." However, we cannot afford to lose trainees on the way to becoming nursing professionals. It is also important to recognize structural problems through the new contact point.