Health emergency in Brandenburg: Clinics are fighting for survival!

Health emergency in Brandenburg: Clinics are fighting for survival!

Health care in Brandenburg is facing major challenges. Health Minister Britta Müller (BSW) expresses serious concerns about the situation of the clinics in the state for the coming year. There is an acute danger, particularly in rural areas, where four out of five hospitals are in the red. In Guben, Forst and Spremberg, worse things were averted, but the future looks uncertain. A double-digit million amount is on the balance sheets of many institutions, which puts additional strain on the situation of the municipalities. They are forced to make subsidies to local authorities, for example in Potsdam, Brandenburg an der Havel and Seelow, where new approaches are being pursued despite the gloomy figures. Müller calls for new concepts to increase the cost-effectiveness of clinics and emphasizes that economic stability must be achieved by 2027 in order to maintain health care.

It is hoped that the federal hospital reform, which will come into force at the beginning of 2025, will result in a rethink and new perspectives. The aim of this reform is to reduce costs while increasing the quality of care. Expanded exceptions should apply, particularly in rural regions, in order to protect the smaller hospital landscape. Reported on this South Germans that the country is calling for changes to an austerity package in order to stabilize health insurance contributions.

Transparent communication and citizen participation

The Ministry of Health is highlighting another important aspect: transparent communication about changes in health care. As part of the reform, close involvement of all players in health care is planned. Regional conferences and dialogue forums have already taken place to jointly develop needs-based solutions and promote citizens' trust. The reactions of citizens, who often feel fear and uncertainty as a result of the changes, are of great importance. The last regional conferences took place in autumn 2023, while the next steps in the plan development process are to be communicated in March 2025 Brandenburg.de reported.

Exciting developments can also be observed in Seelow, where a “health campus” is to be built. Both outpatient and inpatient services are planned that are tailored to the needs of the population. Short-term care and an outpatient surgery center will play a central role here. In Forst, on the other hand, there is already an innovative telemedicine collaboration with the Medical University of Lausitz in Cottbus, which opens up new avenues in patient care.

The reform in context

The hospital reform itself is part of a broader reform package that is also intended to reorganize emergency care, like that Federal Ministry of Health explained. The introduction of integrated emergency centers aims to quickly guide patients to the right treatment. The establishment of hospital transparency laws should also ensure that the population is always informed about the quality and services of the clinics.

However, the planned hospital downsizing remains a sensitive issue. In Wittstock/Dosse, a hospital will be closed in 2027 due to the reform, although it is currently doing well economically. Meanwhile, the rescue station in Wittstock remains in place; Treatments will be relocated to the Pritzwalk Clinic. It is clear that the coming years will be characterized by many changes and that those involved in Brandenburg will be required to find new ways to make health care fit for the future.