Wittstock loses popular neurologist: practice closes at the end of November!

Wittstock loses popular neurologist: practice closes at the end of November!

The specialist situation in Wittstock is facing a challenge. Neurologist and psychiatrist Kai-Peter Enders, who has been practicing in the city since 1993, has announced that he will be retiring at the end of November. The 77-year-old sees around 900 patients every year, and many of them are now faced with the question of what will happen after his practice closes on November 30th. “I would like to have more freedom in my daily routine again,” says Enders, who has been in Wittstock since 1979.

The reasons for the closure are family-related and so far there is no successor for the practice. The Brandenburg Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians has already found out about the practice closure, but there is no quick solution in sight. According to maz-online.de, some patients may experience difficulties because many of them do not own a car and have to travel to Neuruppin, Plau am See or Waren for treatment. In addition, the psychiatric consultation hours on Wittstocker Marienstrasse only take place once a week.

Situation of specialists in the region

There are currently five specialists in neurology working in the Ostprignitz-Ruppin region, but half a position remains unfilled. Interestingly, there is funding of up to 55,000 euros in Kyritz for doctors who want to settle there. This shows that the shortage of specialists is a serious problem for the entire region.

The challenges for patients have been further exacerbated by the already tense specialist situation in the region. It is unclear how quickly a successor for Enders can be found; there is already an interested party, but implementation remains questionable. The people of Wittstock have to prepare for alternatives that often involve long journeys.

Enders’ career path is remarkable. After starting in Wittstock in 1979, he worked in the Neuruppin hospital from 1986 to 1993 before setting up his own business. This step towards independence has helped many patients and improved medical care in the region.

A look into the future

The closure of Enders' practice will also impact the discussion about the future of medical care in rural areas. Currently, patients' access to medical care is sporadic and new initiatives are urgently needed to address this trend.

Although ChatGPT and other technological developments can contribute to improving information acquisition, they do not replace the need for personal medical care. cnet.com describes how AI plays a role in many areas of life, but when it comes to health, human professionals are essential.

As the community continues to look for solutions, the hope remains that a successor for Enders can soon be found so that the citizens of Wittstock not only have to rely on digital aids, but also continue to receive personal, empathetic medical care.