Senate extends ban on new specialists

The Senate has extended a moratorium on new specialist medical practices through to 2011.

It followed the House or Representatives on Thursday and voted on the extension by a margin of 23 for versus eight against. General practitioners are excluded from the ban.

Politicians recognised it was a temporary solution to an issue that has pitted doctors against health insurers, who want lower costs. Parliament has been trying to come to a solution for the past four years.

Interior Minister Pascal Couchepin, who holds the health portfolio in Switzerland’s cabinet, said it was impossible to come up with a new plan for the beginning of next year.

A growing number of doctors in Switzerland prefer to become specialists rather than generalists because of the more attractive working conditions, higher salaries and fewer hours.

Between 1971 and 2005, the average GP salary fell in real terms by 37 per cent to around SFr170,000 ($158,000), before tax and charges are deducted.

In 2007, Switzerland spent SFr55.3 billion ($51.1 billion) – 10.8% of GDP – on health – making it one of the costliest system in the world.

swissinfo.ch with agencies