After the children's ward is closed: Where is the care for pregnant women?

After the children's ward is closed: Where is the care for pregnant women?

The closure of the children's ward in Freital caused a lot of excitement among residents, politicians and experts. Peter Pfitzenreiter, chairman of the Conservative Center e.V., has taken a clear position and is calling for medical care to be guaranteed for children and expectant mothers. This issue became particularly urgent after Helios announced the closure of the children's and women's clinic, which is scheduled to take place on December 1, 2024. The reason for this is the sharp drop in case numbers in gynecology and other departments, which fell from 500 births in 2019 to fewer than 200 last year.

There was recently a motion in the district council to look for alternatives to ensure local medical care. However, this request was clearly rejected because the district was already forced to cancel investments and cut budgets. A remunicipalization of the hospital in Freital was considered unrealistic. The Saxon Ministry of Social Affairs, on the other hand, claims that medical care is still guaranteed despite the closures. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop, but the district is called upon to urgently look for alternatives.

The birth center as a new option

A promising idea is to set up a privately run birthing center. The Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains District Office has been commissioned to examine whether such a birthplace can be built, possibly in Dippoldiswalde. This initiative comes at a time when pregnant women in the region have to travel long distances to reach a suitable clinic. They currently have to travel up to 30 kilometers to Pirna or Dresden for emergency treatment.

The district administration is positive about the project and sees great potential in a private association of doctors and midwives. We are currently considering whether a midwife-run delivery room can be set up in Freital. However, for implementation, interested midwives and discussions with Helios are required.

Challenges caused by hospital reform

The situation is further complicated by an impending hospital reform by the Federal Ministry of Health. Karl Lauterbach is planning measures that will probably reduce the number of clinic locations in Saxony to just 60. Of the 593 currently operating obstetric care locations, some may have to close permanently. Many experts consider this reform to be insufficient because it does not offer any solutions to the ongoing underfunding and shortage of skilled workers.

Patrick Hilbrenner from Asklepios warns of catastrophic effects on healthcare in rural areas. Smaller clinics in particular are losing economic stability, which not only endangers medical care, but could also have a massive impact on the social structures in these regions.

In this context, it becomes clear how important it is to continue to pursue the diverse approaches to solutions and to initiate serious discussions between the actors involved. It remains to be seen whether the first interim results for the desired alternatives can be presented to the district council's social committee by 2026.

The challenges are great and time is short. The health and safety of expectant mothers and children must be our top priority.

For more information you can read the articles from Weekly Courier, MDR and Asclepius be consulted.