Protests against hospital closure in Wittstock: future uncertain!

Protests against hospital closure in Wittstock: future uncertain!

There is a lot of excitement in Wittstock at the moment. On November 10, 2025, numerous people gathered to protest against the planned closure of the hospital. Health Minister Britta Müller assures that there is hope for new medical care in the region. The aim of setting up a medical care center (MVZ) in a former cloth factory is to improve the range of medical services, with the state supporting it with several million euros. However, the clinic management company (KMG) plans to close Wittstock Hospital on January 1, 2027, causing additional concern.

In order to clarify the situation, a round table will take place on November 17th at which the plans for the MVZ will be fleshed out. It remains to be seen whether this will be enough to reassure residents and allay concerns about medical care.

Investigations in Lindow and construction activities in Neuruppin

While the protests are raging in Wittstock, the police are in full swing in Lindow. Here the criminal police are investigating a suspected homicide because two people who were found lifeless are agitating the residents. The background is still unclear and the investigators are leaving no stone unturned.

In Neuruppin, however, a different picture emerges. There is construction work on Steinstrasse, which poses numerous challenges for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Apart from the redesign of the road, a new roundabout will also be set up. The construction work could keep residents busy for a while, as another part of Steinstrasse will soon become a construction site. The riverside hiking trail in the Seetorviertel will also be affected, which is currently requiring a lot of patience from walkers.

Battle for the refugee home in Rheinsberg

Parallel to the events in Wittstock and Neuruppin, the city of Rheinsberg suffered a bitter defeat before the Higher Administrative Court. Mayor Schwochow never tires of preventing the construction of a refugee home, but the business people who want to push the project forward are already planning the next steps. It remains to be seen whether the ongoing tough struggle for the refugee home can calm minds in Rheinsberg.

Court ruling on triage in Germany

A significant ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court could have far-reaching consequences in the coming period. On November 5, 2025, the court declared the new triage rules void. According to the decision, this regulation, which was intended to affect the prioritization of patients when medical capacities were limited, was considered inadequate and problematic. Eight doctors filed a constitutional complaint because they feared discrimination, particularly against people with disabilities.

Responsibility for the triage regulations now lies with the federal states, which could potentially lead to different handling in the individual federal states. It can be assumed that there will be a lot of discussion about the topic in the coming weeks, especially in hospitals like the Neuruppin University Hospital, where the procedure in the emergency room remains unchanged.

The various issues that are currently affecting the region and the medical landscape clearly show how closely social challenges and health care are intertwined. The developments in Wittstock, Neuruppin and Rheinsberg not only represent local disputes, but also reflect broader social problems. We can only hope that solutions can be found that do justice to the population.