Lake Constance's central hub faces potential shutdown, according to the cautionary remarks issued by the workshop council.
The Heart Center Bodensee in Constance, a vital medical facility that treats patients with heart attacks, heart rhythm disorders, and emergencies, is facing insolvency. The center has published an urgent appeal, and discussions about a potential takeover by the Health Consortium County of Constance (GLKN) have already taken place.
The insolvency proceedings are scheduled to begin in October, but the Ministry of Health in Baden-Württemberg holds the decision on the next social law steps. The GLKN has expressed interest in a takeover, aiming to integrate the Heart Center into its clinic network to preserve highly specialized services such as heart surgery, special catheter procedures, and pediatric electrophysiology.
The GLKN's takeover would potentially save these critical services, as there are only a few doctors in Germany who can perform these procedures. However, the loss of the Heart Center could put the lives of children with severe heart rhythm disorders at risk, as they may have to travel long distances to Freiburg, Tübingen, or Ulm for treatment.
The works council has started a petition to save the clinic, warning that the closure could put cardiac surgical care in the Lake Constance region at risk. Every minute counts in emergencies, and long journeys could cost lives.
The timing and content of the Ministry's decision on the takeover and future cardiovascular care in the county are currently not foreseeable for the GLKN. There are no specific publicly available details about the future role or changes to the Gesundheitsbehörde (health authority) in Landkreis Konstanz if it were to take over the Heart Center Bodensee. Generally, such a takeover would likely involve expanded responsibilities for the health authority in managing cardiac care services.
The Health Consortium County of Constance shares concerns about the potential closure of the Heart Center Bodensee. The GLKN is still in discussions with the Ministry of Social Affairs, health insurance funds, and the insolvency administrator about the takeover of the Heart Center.
As the situation unfolds, the community and patients of the Heart Center Bodensee are urged to stay informed and support the efforts to save this vital medical facility.
