Closing the emergency room in Germersheim: Citizens take care of care!

Closing the emergency room in Germersheim: Citizens take care of care!

The closure of the emergency room at the Asklepios Clinic in Germersheim caused dismay in the region. Many citizens express concern about future emergency care in the northern district of Germersheim. The Asklepios South Palatinate Clinics have reacted to the concerns and emphasize that the decision is part of a long -term structural plan to strengthen medical care in the district. This measure was implemented on April 1, 2023 when emergency care in the neighboring city of Kandel was concentrated.

The Asklepios Clinic in Germersheim should develop as a specialized specialist clinic in the future. This new establishment includes relocating emergency medicine and internal medicine to Kandel. The aim of the restructuring is more efficient and comprehensive care for patients in emergency situations. In this way, emergency patients with serious illnesses can be brought into specialized facilities in the future.

new supply concepts

The decision to conclude the emergency room is justified by the small number of emergencies in Germersheim and the associated options for better distribution of resources. Managing Director Frank Lambert assures that the capacity of the ambulance is not affected by the restructuring. The central emergency room in Kandel has existed since Corona pandemic in 2020 and is now to cover the extensive need for emergency treatments.

The outpatient care structure is retained at both locations. In Germersheim, offers in general medicine, cardiology and gastroenterology are provided, while the disciplines of cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology and urology are available in Kandel. These changes are intended to ensure that the population continues to have access to basic medical services.

regulatory framework

The G-BA (Joint Federal Committee) defines a graded system of emergency structures in hospitals. The minimum requirements that must be met in order to be able to participate in emergency care include both the type and number of specialist departments and the qualification of the specialist staff. Hospitals that cannot meet these requirements do not take part in emergency care, but are not forced to close. The general assistance obligation remains unaffected. From May 19, 2023, need -proof hospitals in rural areas must meet the requirements for the basic emergency supply, which exerts further pressure on hospitals in the region.

Although the closure of the emergency room in Germersheim arouses concerns, those responsible point out the need for a realignment in order to improve the quality of supply as a whole. The restructuring is an attempt to adapt to the changing needs of the population and to put medical care in the district on the best possible basis. However, the citizens are called to observe developments closely to ensure that adequate emergency care will continue to be guaranteed.

For further information on the changes in emergency care, we refer to the reporting of Wochenblatt-Reporter and the explanations of the Asklepios website .