In Luxembourg, patients often experience significant waiting times when seeking MRI scans, highlighting a pressing issue. Dr Berna emphasised the urgent need for greater efficiency in utilising the eleven available MRI machines within the Grand Duchy. Additionally, he articulated the potential benefit of incorporating MRIs into private doctors’ offices; however, he stressed the importance of developing a comprehensive framework before implementing such a concept.
Dr Berna expressed his belief that hospitals serve as attractive employers, providing valuable, stable, and fairly compensated employment opportunities. Nevertheless, the director general highlighted the potential for enhancement in the stringent employee requirements. For instance, he does not believe that one has to be a nurse to perform tasks like delivering meals to patients or organising medicine cabinets.
According to a recent change in nomenclature, neurosurgical interventions will only be reimbursed if carried out at the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg. Dr Berna said that his neurosurgeons learned about this change from the National Health Fund (CNS) and that they had not been involved in the decision-making process, which he deems unacceptable.
Emphasising the importance of neurosurgical expertise, the physician put forth the argument that it is imperative to have such capabilities available at the Kirchberg hospital, especially during emergency situations. He revealed that ongoing negotiations are taking place to safeguard the status of neurosurgery as a crucial component of the HRS.
