The construction of the first out of three new clinics commenced in Lower Saxony.

Treatment - The construction of the first out of three new clinics commenced in Lower Saxony.

In the Diepholz region, work has started on the first of three planned central clinics in Lower Saxony. Health Minister Andreas Philippi (SPD) kicked off the project by turning the first soil in Twistringen, as announced by the Health Ministry in Hannover.

This new large hospital will eventually merge the existing clinics in Diepholz, Sulingen, and Bassum. The clinic is scheduled to open in 2028 with approximately 345 beds and was previously estimated to cost around 320 million euros. Of this amount, 250 million euros is expected to be covered by the state and federal government.

Analogous central clinics are also planned for two other locations in Lower Saxony. In East Frisia (Landkreis Aurich), a new hospital with 832 beds is due to replace the current facilities in Emden, Aurich, and Norden. The cost of this project is projected at 460 million euros.

In the Heidekreis, the clinics in Soltau and Walsrode will be consolidated in Bad Fallingbostel. The groundbreaking ceremony for this new building with 345 beds is set for Thursday. This construction is anticipated to cost 222 million euros, while the East Frisia project is expected to cost 460 million euros.

Significant debates have taken place regarding the retention of old hospital sites and the locations of these new central clinics. In East Frisia and Heidekreis, citizens even held referendums on the matter.

The Health Ministry in Hannover considers the concentration of competencies through the construction of central clinics and the reduction of excess capacity to be forward-thinking. "Constructing modern central clinics is a way to enhance the quality of care with limited resources, which are in high demand due to the concurrence of demographically increasing healthcare needs and a shortage of specialists," the ministry replied when asked for comment. This approach could potentially be adopted by other districts, the ministry stated.

Both at the federal and state levels, efforts are being made to reorganize the hospitals. The economic viability of numerous clinics is under strain. The Niedersachsen Hospital Association disclosed in early April that the financial situation of more than 100 hospitals in the region was "worse than ever before."

Operating expenses are on the rise, and high wage agreements threaten the viability of some hospitals. Additionally, hospitals are experiencing losses from treating patients. This situation, according to the association, is a genuine concern.

Read also:

1. The new clinic in Twistringen, part of the three planned central clinics in Lower Saxony, is being constructed in the District of Diepholz.
2. In Aurich, a district in East Frisia, a new hospital with 832 beds is being planned to replace the existing facilities in Emden, Aurich, and Norden.
3. The Health Ministry in Hannover announced that a clinic in Bassum will merge with the new central clinic in Diepholz, which is currently under construction.
4. The first soil was turned for the new clinic in Lower Saxony by Health Minister Andreas Philippi (SPD), with an estimated cost of 320 million euros, partially funded by the BMG.
5. Analogous central clinics are also being planned for two other locations in Lower Saxony, including one in the District of Aurich, which will have 832 beds.
6. The new hospital in East Frisia is projected to cost 460 million euros, making it more expensive than the new clinic in Heidekreis, which is expected to cost 222 million euros.
7. The construction of modern central clinics is seen as a way to improve the quality of care with limited resources, according to the Health Ministry in Hannover.
8. The economic viability of numerous clinics in Lower Saxony is under strain, with operating expenses rising and high wage agreements threatening their viability, as stated by the Niedersachsen Hospital Association.

• Tough return to normality in snow and ice
• German national soccer team on their way to participate in the European Championship qualifying matches.
• The flooding has lessened, but the aftermath of mud remains.
• Fewer unauthorized entries: Domino effect through controls