Lead hospital in Liezen: political dispute scores against public approval

Lead hospital in Liezen: political dispute scores against public approval

As part of the Styrian state election campaign, the planned lead hospital in Liezen is the focus of the political arguments. The project promoted by the government parties ÖVP and SPÖ provides for the establishment of a new hospital in Stainach-Pürgg, while the opposition, including the FPÖ and the Greens, is fighting vehemently against construction and tries to stop its implementation.

The plans for the lead hospital see total228 bedsin three building blocks, but the project has far -reaching consequences for the existing hospital locations in the region. The hospitals inRottenmann,,Bad AusseeandSladmingwould have to close in their current form, whereby health and specialist centers and a care center are to be created in their places.

Political controversy and coalition negotiations

GovernorChristopher DrexlerFrom the ÖVP, the construction of the motto hospital makes the coalition condition that it describes the project as non -negotiable and crucial for improving health care in the district of Liezen. However, the project could be the coalition negotiations with the FPÖ, whose top candidateMario Kunasekmake it difficult to prevent the project. The remaining opposition also rejects the central hospital, which leads to long -lasting conflicts and delays.

Originally, the leading hospital was supposed to go into operation in 2025, but the total costs are now on round334 million eurosincreased and the completion was on the summer2028delay. A crucial building notice should be done by spring2025available that would enable the construction of construction delayed for years.

In a referendum in April2019spoke a majority of67.27 percentagainst the construction of a central control hospital. Despite the negative vote from the population, the state government holds on to the construction plans. The then governorHermann Schützenhöferemphasized that many controversial topics can be accepted by the population over time.

Criticism of the Court of Auditors and challenges in implementation

The State Audit Office recently expressed concerns about the financial load -bearing capacity of the project. According to a test report that is available to the "Kleine Zeitung", the leading hospital could become oneCostbecome. It is criticized that the planned “clinic company”, which is to be founded together with the Diakonie, is not the most effective way to use the means. The Court of Auditors urgently recommends that the clinic in theKagesto integrate to avoid additional costs and parallel structures.

There are also doubts about the planned reuse of the old hospital locations. The Court of Auditors questions whether they can really meet the requirements of a central biscuit hospital and whether it is actually expedient to continue to maintain the existing locations in this form.

However, the ÖVP-SPÖ government is still behind the clinic and will partially examine the criticism received. While the political dispute over the project is intensifying, it remains to be seen how the situation around the planned lead hospital will develop in the coming months. More information is At www.puls24.at available.