Bopfingen fails: No outpatient health center in sight!

Bopfingen fails: No outpatient health center in sight!

Bopfingen, Deutschland - Bopfingen is about to return to the roots of health care, because the plans for a central outpatient health center have failed. This is announced by the Ostalbkreis after a realization report has been commissioned to examine the feasibility of such a center. The expert opinion showed that there is potential to strengthen health care in the eastern Ostalb district, but the demand is too low to economically justify the operation of a health center. The Schwäbische reports that a comprehensive survey only resulted in a return rate of 15.2 percent.

The reasons for the lack of interest are complex. Many of the doctors surveyed have recently invested in their own practices or are about to retire. This meant that the majority wanted to stay in their current practice rooms. Only a few liabilities for moving to the planned health center could be achieved.

Alternative concepts to strengthen the supply

In view of the low demand and the associated financial risks, the experts recommend refraining from building a central health center. Instead, the development of alternative, decentralized health models is considered. The focus of these new approaches is the establishment of the local medical cooperative "IpfMed eG", which is scheduled to start in June 2025. This cooperative will aim to secure general care and to take on endangered medical practices, such as the Schwäbische Post. In addition, the district administration will support the establishment of the cooperative both financially and personally.

The IPFMED eG will also operate medical care centers (MVZ) and thus ensure that Bopfingen and the surrounding area remain well cared for. The MVZ Ostalb Kliniken gGmbH is already active in the outpatient specialist care in Bopfingen and ensures gynecological branches of the MVZ Ellwangen for gynecological care on site.

Demographic challenges master

Demographic change is a challenge for medical care in the Ostalb district. The number of older patients increases and has various health problems. This also affects the increasing demand for medical contacts and hospital stays. A look at the age structure of the medical profession shows that many “baby boomers” now achieve their retirement age, while the recurring generation has different demands on their workplace. The new steering group, which was launched in 2021, takes care of the design of solutions to address these challenges, according to the [Ostalbkreis-Website] (https://www.ostalbkreis.de/sixcms/detail.php?

Bopfingen will be summarized in the future without a central health center, but the founding of IPFMED EG and the creation of alternative supply structures could prove to be the spotef. In this way, general care is not only secured, but also adapted to the modern needs of the population.