Planned closures in the Melker hospital: citizens demand clarity

Planned closures in the Melker hospital: citizens demand clarity

in Melk, a city in Lower Austria, a recently leaked secret paper causes excitement among the inhabitants. This document emphasizes extensive restructuring of the Lower Austrian state clinics, which are to take place by 2030. The health pact, which was initiated in the black and blue state government, was originally supposed to deliver results until next year. Now, shortly before the local council elections, the plans have come to light and have upset many citizens.

In particular, the reports on the planned closure of the popular birthplace in the Melker hospital meet violent resistance. This station is of great importance not only for women in Melk and the surrounding area, but also attracts many patients beyond the borders of the district. Readers from the surrounding districts of St. Pölten and Krems have already turned to the NÖN in letters to the editor to express their displeasure with the impending closure and to praise the team under the direction of Leopold Wanderer, which has been supervising gynecology since 2008

reactions of those responsible

The mayor of Melk, Patrick Strobl, was disappointed with the unclear situation: "It is very surprising for us. We don't know any details, but the Melker hospital has always been a pride of our city." It calls for more transparency and specified information on the future of the facility.

The SPÖ has long criticized the Lower Austrian state government and feared that the Melker Hospital could be thinned out. Health City Councilor Sabine Jansky warned that the government's austerity course is not in the interests of the population, especially in view of the challenges such as the Covid 19 pandemy. "The health of the citizens should come first," she emphasized.

Alois Schroll, Member of the National Council of the SPÖ, is particularly violent. He describes the plans as "irresponsible" and sees the closures as a direct attack on patient care in the region. "A acute care close to home saves life," he emphasizes, and asks the ÖVP and FPÖ to rethink their plans immediately. Schroll questions whether the announced decision, which should only be made after the local council elections, may have political motives.

official statements

The state health agency has not yet commented on the public's fears. According to the spokeswoman Sabine Mlcoch, the focus of the health pact is to ensure that the existing staff ensures better care that does not aim at savings. "Political negative campaigns that stir up fear do not help anyone," she said.

The discussion about the future of the Melker Hospital remains up to date and shows how important it is that the concerns of the population are heard. The impending closure of the birth station ensures concern and resentment among the citizens who hope for transparent communication and health care on site.