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Shock in Wittstock: Clinic is threatened with closure - citizens fight for the future!
Hospital in Wittstock is due to close in 2026, protests break out. Political discussions about emergency care and hospital reform.
Shock in Wittstock: Clinic is threatened with closure - citizens fight for the future!
Today an important topic is being hotly debated in the city of Wittstock: the threatened closure of the local hospital, which is particularly known for the treatment of heart patients. The plan is for the clinic to close at the end of 2026, which could have significant consequences for both residents and patients in the surrounding region. The excitement about this was clearly noticeable when around 50 demonstrators formed in front of the Potsdam state parliament to protest against the plans. That reports rbb24.
The decision is evidence of the deep cuts that the new hospital reform entails. Operator KMG had already announced in July that the clinic would not meet the requirements that will apply from 2027. This reform, passed by the Bundestag, aims to improve medical care in Germany, but also means that many smaller hospitals, such as the one in Wittstock, are on the hit list. The Health Minister of Brandenburg, Björn Lüttmann, emphasized that no special permit could be granted for the hospital because it is not classified as a safeguard hospital.
Fears in the region
The closure not only causes unrest in Wittstock itself, but also has an impact on the neighboring Müritz region in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. People there are worried about their emergency care, as the Wittstock hospital treats around 726 cases every year, including 352 acute emergencies. With the closure, many patients would be forced to drive over 40 minutes to reach the nearest suitable clinic - a real risk in an emergency. In the Müritz region, local clinics, such as the Mediclin Müritz Clinic, cannot cover the same specialist areas, which further fuels the concerns of residents. The Northern Courier even reports open letters to the health ministries appealing to save the site.
There is already a round table led by Mayor Philipp Wacker to discuss the future of the hospital. The committee chairman Dr. Dirk Müller describes the threatened closure as a medical catastrophe. Committed citizens in the region have hung banners and are seeking solidarity to preserve the clinic.
A look at the reform
But the situation is not just limited to Wittstock. The entire hospital reform, which the traffic light coalition describes as the largest health reform in 20 years, aims to reorganize the clinics in Germany. The reform process stipulates that smaller houses offer fewer services but have to specialize more. It is feared that this will result in longer journeys for patients, while at the same time ensuring better treatment.
The Bundestag has already announced the closure of many clinics and emphasized the need for clinics to demonstrate a level of quality and sufficient staff. The reform could be suitable for limiting hospital deaths, but there is great skepticism as to whether rural regions are at a disadvantage. The daily news reports on a transformation fund that will provide €50 billion over ten years to address some of the biggest challenges in the healthcare sector.
Overall, the people of Wittstock and the surrounding region face an uncertain future as political actors try to make their voices heard. It remains to be seen whether the discussions and initiatives will have an impact and whether there will be a way to ensure health care in the region in the future.