Würzburg Hospital is fighting: Is obstetric care threatened to end?

Würzburg Hospital is fighting: Is obstetric care threatened to end?

What's going on in Würzburg? The Würzburg Mitte Clinic (KWM) is currently fighting to maintain its obstetrics ward. This department has been in the red for years and is under considerable pressure. In order to secure future obstetric care, the KWM has asked the city of Würzburg and the surrounding districts for support. Discussions are currently underway with the Würzburg and Main-Spessart districts, while the KWM management will be present in the Würzburg district council and in a technical committee in Main-Spessart next week.

The situation is anything but rosy. The KWM complains that the city of Würzburg has so far reacted disappointingly and has not received any feedback for discussions. In the summer of 2024, the KWM had already pointed out the financial challenges and reported that around 18 million euros in losses from the emergency room and the maternity ward had to be absorbed in the last two years. Hospital operations in Würzburg could come under pressure because the city has rejected acute aid worth 3.5 million euros, citing the federal and state governments' responsibility for financing hospitals.

The financial situation in focus

The questions about sustainable financing of health services are becoming increasingly pressing. A look beyond the district borders shows that the Erding District Hospital is faced with similar challenges. However, a lot is being done there to ensure high-quality healthcare. Over the last ten years, around 50 million euros have been invested in renovations to modernize the offering. New areas such as the cardiac catheterization laboratory, a stroke unit and pain management were created to better meet the needs of patients.

Thanks to highly specialized facilities and motivated employees, Erding Clinic offers a wide range of medical services, seven days a week, around the clock. The close collaboration with resident doctors in the region underlines the commitment to providing the population with top-quality medicine close to home. The clinic also has the status of an academic teaching hospital of the Technical University of Munich, which creates additional opportunities for quality assurance and improvement.

The role of the city and hospital financing

Support from city authorities remains essential for the KWM. The coming week could be crucial for the future of obstetric care in Würzburg if the management in the district council addresses the current situation. Given the strong criticism and financial pressure, it is important that the city takes a clear stance on hospital financing and holds the necessary discussions. The future of the maternity ward would have to be secured in order to be able to provide good care for all expectant parents in the future.

It is clear that health must come first. And as the saying goes: “Health is the greatest wealth.” The city of Würzburg and the surrounding districts must show a good hand in supporting their hospital in order to protect and restore the health of their citizens. The KWM and all stakeholders involved are faced with the challenge of finding new ways to finance and ensure medical care.

In this critical situation, it is crucial to find the right ways and solutions to provide the best possible support to all pregnant women and newborns. The discussions are still ongoing and the hope remains that everyone involved will quickly come to an agreement in order to secure valuable obstetric care at the KWM.

For further information on the ongoing discussions and the current situation at KWM, please visit the website Radio gong or the official website Erding District Hospital.