The closure of two specialist departments at the university hospital in Neuruppin in north-west Brandenburg is off the table for this year. The district is injecting millions into the hospital, which is in the red. Due to the rescue plan, which the district described as an immense financial feat, there is a threat of cuts elsewhere. It had previously become known that plans to close the Elbe-Elster Clinic had also been withdrawn.
On Wednesday evening, the district council of Ostprignitz-Ruppin decided by a large majority to retain the two clinics for ear, nose and throat (ENT) and oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMF) - but they will be merged with the neurosurgery department. The district is providing around three million euros to save the clinics, according to the resolution. It is also granting the hospital company a loan of ten million euros to ensure solvency for the current financial year. The district council will also commission a restructuring report.
"The package of measures is intended to help secure the continued operation of our university hospital this year. However, this will also require financial efforts and cost-cutting measures that will demand a lot from everyone in the district and will be painful," said District Administrator Ralf Reinhardt (SPD) on Thursday. It will result in cuts for the residents of the district in many areas of everyday life, according to a statement from the district.
