Wiener addiction clinic on the crossroads: Future after the sale uncertain

Wiener addiction clinic on the crossroads: Future after the sale uncertain

In the past few months, the Viennese Anton-Proksch-Institut, one of the most renowned addiction clinics in Europe, has made headlines. Since its redesign in September, which dealt with a wide range of therapy offers, the institute has faced an uncertain future: the health service provider Vamed plans to sell the institute. The clinic currently deals with around 250 patients, with the focus mainly on alcohol and other addiction.

The location in Vienna-Liesing, which has recently been renovated, is not only known locally, but is also of national importance. VAMED holds 60 percent of the shares, while 40 percent of the Anton Proksch Foundation belongs, which are worn by the city of Vienna and the Chamber of Labor. There were intensive discussions in the industry about the intentions of Vamed to sell the institute.

Development of the sale

In spring it became known that Vamed wanted to sell the institute together with 20 other rehabilitation facilities to the French private equity company PAI. Despite the ride -up of the public, which, especially described by the German Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach as a "hay bar", was partially withdrawn. On October 1, a total of 14 institutions were transferred to PAI, while seven institutions, including the Anton-Proksch Institute, were not sold. With the recently preserved emergency act, legal steps are now in the take to finally complete the sale.

The possibility that the Anton Proksch Foundation could acquire the VAMED share itself is still uncertain. The City of Vienna is expected to act in a leadership and possibly integrate the clinic into the Vienna Health Association. This variant could mean fundamental changes for the clinic and also brings challenges with it, since the institute was under an listed investor and now, among other things, could be bought up by non -listed companies.

Economic challenges

The Anton-Proksch Institute had to record a financial loss of 840,000 euros last year, mostly due to the renovation work. The daily sentence for patients is taken over by social security, but the institute has to fight to fill the beds sufficiently. Maintaining a stable patient utilization is crucial to secure the economic basis of the clinic and to ensure the quality of the offers.

The pressure on the clinic has also risen by rumors about possible buyers such as the Vinzenz Group or other actors from the health sector. While such takeover often aims at maximizing profits, employees say that this could negatively affect the quality of patient care. "We used to be much more rehabilitation and have now become a lot more hospital," reports an employee about change in treatment practice.

The next phase will be crucial for the future of the Anton-Proksch Institute. The actors involved, both public and private, are required to find a solution that both ensures patient care and the interests of employees meet. Let's wait and see how the situation develops and what decisions are made to maintain the important work of this addiction clinic.