Schwerin/Parchim (dpa/mv) - The end for the treatment of very small premature babies in Neubrandenburg, the closure of the children's ward at the Parchim hospital, the obstetrics department in Crivitz closed: Concern about the future of care for the smallest patients in the north-east is growing in state politics. "The bad news about the area of medical care in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is piling up," said health policy spokeswoman for the CDU parliamentary group, Katy Hoffmeister, on Monday. At the request of the opposition faction, the social committee of the state parliament will meet for a special session on Tuesday. The parliamentary group expects answers from Minister Stefanie Drese on how things should continue in Parchim, Neubrandenburg and Crivitz, explained Hoffmeister.
Drese therefore canceled her participation in the state cabinet's two-day trip to Brussels. "I regret the decision of the Asklepios management that was announced at short notice," she said about the closure of the children's ward in Parchim at the end of September. "We will examine the numbers and statements used by the group." Drese demanded that no small patient should be left alone now. "Asklepios has assured me that the care of the children who are currently still on the ward is guaranteed." It is also important that parents can continue to bring their acutely ill child to the emergency room in Parchim in the future.
Drese announced talks with Asklepios and the district on future supply. "Among other things, it must be about strengthening outpatient services for children and young people in the sense of a "Policlinic Plus" model," she explained. "Policlinic Plus" is a network of outpatient and inpatient services in one building.
At the state level, pediatric and obstetric care in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has top priority, emphasized the minister. A commission of experts started its work in August. In addition, the state will provide 4.8 million euros for further training in inpatient pediatrics in the coming years in order to secure young people. Scholarships and starter bonuses are also intended to keep paediatricians in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania or bring them here.
After the closure of the children's ward in Parchim, there are still 14 children's wards at hospitals in the northeast, according to the ministry. The distance from Parchim to the nearest children's clinics at the hospitals in Hagenow and Schwerin is around 50 kilometers each. According to the federal working group for children and hospitals, it shouldn't be more than 30 kilometers.
