Clinic in Wittstock before closure: Ministry promises replacement care

Clinic in Wittstock before closure: Ministry promises replacement care

On September 11, 2025, Brandenburg Health Minister Britta Müller will comment on the relocation of health services in the Ostprignitz-Ruppin region, in particular the impending closure of the hospital in Wittstock. Müller emphasizes that the current legal situation speaks against maintaining the clinic and that comprehensive care in the region is not at risk. Even in the current situation, patients with acute illnesses such as strokes and accidents have to be transferred to other clinics, as the facility in Wittstock only offers special medical care, particularly in cardiology and gastroenterology. Müller explains that the hospital cannot continue to operate with an exemption and that the provider, KMG Kliniken Nordbrandenburg, is planning better care at the new location in Pritzwalk.

In order to secure health care in the region in the long term, the state of Brandenburg is investing 460 million euros from a special fund of the federal government. The planned measures include building medical care centers and polyclinics, also in Wittstock. The aim is to ensure emergency care in the region, while KMG Kliniken Nordbrandenburg wants to close the Wittstock location on January 1, 2027. The areas of cardiology and gastroenterology are shifted according to Pritzwalk.

Future of the hospital and public mobilization

Mayor Philipp Wacker presented two petitions in the state parliament with over 20,000 signatures for the preservation of the hospital and announced a round table with everyone involved for the end of September. In a conversation with Minister Müller in Potsdam, the future of the Wittstock hospital location was discussed. The minister made it clear that Wittstock should not disappear from Brandenburg's supply card. Changes in the inpatient offers should only take place if new forms of supply are created to ensure that emergency care is permanently guaranteed.

It is particularly important that the state government recognizes the need for improvements at the federal level for rural locations. Minister Müller emphasizes that the current version of the legislation is viewed as inadequate. The exchange about future solutions in Wittstock is also supported by the active participation of the Ministry of Health in the round table.

Reform of the healthcare system in Brandenburg

The background to the discussion is the Hospital Care Improvement Act (KHVVG), which changes the basis for hospital planning in Brandenburg. From July 31, 2025, hospitals in Brandenburg can apply for service groups in order to meet the new requirements of the hospital reform. The new state hospital plan is scheduled to be finalized by the end of 2026.

In this context, regional conferences take place with the participation of all relevant actors, as well as the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians and the municipalities, to provide the citizens of the hospital reform transparently. The aim of this reform is the creation of needs -based solutions in healthcare in order to promote the trust of citizens and to strengthen the feeling of security. However, changes in healthcare lead to fears and uncertainties, so that clear and transparent communication is of the greatest importance. The last regional conference took place in autumn 2023, and in 2024 there were numerous dialogue forums on outpatient and inpatient capacities.

The coming months will be decisive for medical care in Wittstock and the adjacent region, since the discussions and plans for the reform of the healthcare system in Brandenburg will continue to promote.

For a more detailed insight into the situation, we refer to the reporting by rbb24, the notification of the Ministry of Health, Care and Equality under mgs.brandenburg.de as well as the information about the implementation of the hospital reform mgs.brandenburg.de.