Bankrupt clinic becomes health center - a model for the future?

The former hospital in Reichenbach in the Vogtland region is once again offering patients medical help. The hospital with 180 beds and 300 employees, which had fallen into financial difficulties, was forced to close in spring 2023. The complex has now been revived as a health center with medical practices, an outpatient surgery center and therapy and care services. "This is the way forward for part of the hospital landscape in Germany," said Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU). Unlike in Reichenbach, however, this must be done in a planned manner. He spoke of a model for the future.

Following its insolvency in the summer of 2022, no investor was found for the hospital, meaning it had to close. Raphael Kürzinger, Lord Mayor at the time, spoke of a catastrophe for the city and the region. The Vogtland district was unable to bring the hospital back into municipal hands in view of the facility's structural deficits of millions and the necessary investments. The inpatient care could be taken over by other clinics in the region, it was said at the time.

From spring, 15 specialists on site

So the site was acquired and converted by a real estate company. Kilian Lange, Managing Director of KL Real Estate GmbH, said that a sum in the double-digit millions had been invested. The number of specialists working here will increase from the current 10 to 15 in the spring, and the number of employees from 85 now to around 160 in the future. Many of them used to work at the hospital, Lange emphasized.

A total of around 13,000 square metres are reportedly available. Concentrated at one location, patients will find practices for gynecology, radiology, ophthalmology, urology and maxillofacial surgery, as well as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, assisted living and an outpatient intensive care service, as well as a medical supply store.

"Reichenbach shows how care can succeed in the area: close to home, interdisciplinary, reliable - without regular inpatient operations," said Stefan Knupfer, CEO of the health insurance company AOK plus. The model has a signal effect for similar locations in Saxony, Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt.