From the church to the doctor's office: shape Potzbach's medical future!

From the church to the doctor's office: shape Potzbach's medical future!

Lukas Schur and his wife Lara plan to set up a doctor's office in the former church in Potzbach. This Catholic Church, which has not been used since February 2024, is now for sale. Lukas Schur, who is currently 35 years old and is in specialist training at the West Palatinate Clinic in Kaiserslautern, is planning to open the practice of general medicine in about five years. "We want to support medical care in rural areas," he emphasizes. The decision to convert the church into a doctor's office is no coincidence.

The renovation will give way to the altar of the church for waiting rooms and treatment rooms, while the patients are supposed to take a seat on traditional church benches. "It is important to us to preserve the charm of the church," explains Schur. The bell tower of the church remains in operation, and the church bells ring every day, which contributes to the special atmosphere of the place.

medical care in rural areas

The plans have found broad support from the population. Many citizens in Potzbach recognize the need to maintain medical care in the country. This urgency is underpinned by the general situation in rural regions. There are often fewer health care facilities here than in urban areas. However, residents expect high -quality health services, regardless of their place of residence. The challenge is to make medical care more efficient without increasing the costs unnecessarily.

In many rural areas, patients have to accept long journey routes, especially for specialized care services. This means that health care often remains inefficient. Current statistics underpin these problems: In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, for example, 10,500 children and adolescents live more than 20 km from the next pediatrician, which means that they are less likely to use medical help. General practitioners therefore often take care of these young patients.

Innovative approaches to improve care

In order to close the existing gaps in rural health care, innovative concepts are essential. This includes, for example, increased cooperation between different health professions, telemedical connections and digital networking. Such approaches could also enrich the potential work environment of Schur and his wife. They even plan to build a residential building behind the church, although no approval has so far been granted.

Lukas Schur's vision is to secure basic medical care in rural areas. He emphasizes how important personal contact with the patients is for him. In the doctor's office in Potzbach, he would like to create a family atmosphere and respond to the special needs of the rural population. "We have to strengthen medical care in the country," concludes Schur.

The opening of the practice is eagerly awaited in the coming years, both by the citizens of Potzbach and health experts who observe the development of rural health care carefully. The conversion of the church to the doctor's office could also be a signal for other rural communities that face similar challenges.

For more information about the church in Potzbach and the planned project, please click on Diocese of Speyer and Federal Center for Political Education .