Controversy Surrounding Hospital Shut Down on Weser's Left Bank
Residents and workers in the Obervieland neighbourhood have expressed criticism over the planned closure of Klinikum Links der Weser (LdW). The closure, which is set to transfer the Heart Center, personnel, and other disciplines to Klinikum Bremen-Mitte (KBM), has sparked concern among locals.
At a recent regional conference attended by Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte (SPD), Health Senator Claudia Bernhard (Left), and Finance Senator Björn Fecker (Greens), the closure was outlined with reasons including decline in case numbers, underutilized stations, shortage of skilled workers, and federal government's demands to concentrate high-performance medicine at single locations.
However, Works Council Chairman Roman Fabian has called the plans a disaster and appealed against a hasty decision. He stated that not all parties involved have been consulted and all alternatives to the closure have not been sufficiently examined. Fabian also labelled the closure as a disaster, citing that around 80 percent of the employees of LdW would not change their workplace and leave the Geno beforehand, according to a survey by the works council.
Klaus Möhle, the Obervieland Advisory Board spokesman, commented that the closure is not entirely thought through. He emphasized the importance of securing medical basic care in southern Bremen, a concern shared by many residents.
The lack of parking spaces at KBM and the unclear traffic management around the facility are additional concerns. It is not yet clear how and where the additional traffic around KBM will be accommodated and guided. Moreover, routes to KBM via the Weser bridges have not been considered for residents on the left side of the Weser.
Finance Senator Björn Fecker emphasized that the clinic association should remain in municipal hands and calculated that over the past 15 years, Geno has received 666 million euros in deficit compensation. However, Bremen cannot afford to approve further annual deficit compensation of 60, 70, or 80 million euros for Geno, according to the mayor.
At a protest attended by around 200 people, Fabian reiterated his concerns and appealed for a thorough examination of all alternatives before making a decision. The Citizens' Assembly is expected to decide on the planning funds for the move of the Heart Center to KBM in September.
As of now, specific counter-concepts proposed by Works Council Chairman Roman Fabian to avoid the closure of Klinikum Links der Weser (LdW) in Obervieland, Bremen, have not been publicly documented. Further discussions and decisions regarding the future of the clinic are anticipated in the coming months.
- "Despite the plans to transfer the Heart Center and other disciplines from Klinikum Links der Weser (LdW) to Klinikum Bremen-Mitte (KBM), Works Council Chairman Roman Fabian has vigorously opposed this decision, citing the lack of consultation with all parties involved and a survey showing that majority of LdW employees are unlikely to relocate."
- "In the light of the planned closure of Klinikum Links der Weser, concerns over health-and-wellness have been raised, particularly the lack of parking spaces at KBM and unclear traffic management around the facility, which could pose challenges for accessing medical care for residents."
- "The controversy over the proposed closure of Klinikum Links der Weser in Obervieland has not only sparked local criticism but has also reached the political arena, with discussions on budget allocation for the move of the Heart Center to Klinikum Bremen-Mitte anticipated in the general news and science sections."