New building of the Sana Kliniken Lübeck: Danger for patients and specialists!

New building of the Sana Kliniken Lübeck: Danger for patients and specialists!

The Sana Clinics in Lübeck have been in the process of constructing a new main building for three years now. Investments of between 250 and 300 million euros are planned to replace the outdated structures. The existing building is between 40 and 50 years old and no longer meets the modern requirements of a hospital. Managing Director Dr. Christian Frank warns that the lifespan of 50% of technical systems will end in 2027. “A new building could be put into operation by 2033 without a funding decision from the state,” he explains, which significantly delays the original planning.

The new building was originally presented to the public in 2022, with the aim of opening the new premises in 2029. However, it is now clear that this goal is no longer tenable. The state government has received applications for funding, but its decision is pending due to the federal government's upcoming hospital structural reform. “The impasse has serious consequences for the clinic and the entire Lübeck region,” adds Dr. Frank. In addition, the migration of skilled workers could further strain medical care in Lübeck.

Project details and necessary support

The Sana Kliniken Lübeck, which has been active at the location for over 135 years, is of central importance to more than 1 million people. Those responsible emphasize that the new construction of the main building is therefore essential. The “Sana Lübeck 2030” project has already reached many planning milestones, but the key stumbling block remains the lack of funding commitment from the state of Schleswig-Holstein. The land for the new building is available and an application for investment funding has also been submitted. But without a commitment, implementation falls by the wayside.

In order to create more visibility for the project, intensive public relations and a social media campaign were launched that have already reached over 30,000 people. Supporters can make video statements to show their support. The social committee of the Lübeck citizens has also already spoken out in favor of rapid implementation. Mayor Jan Lindenau and Social Senator Pia Steinrücke released supportive video messages and a hoarding banner was unveiled.

The importance for supply

The hospital treats more than 20,100 inpatient and over 25,000 outpatient cases annually with a dedicated team of 800 employees, including 200 doctors and 450 nurses. It provides specialized medical care in various disciplines and plays a key role in the region's healthcare. In this context, the new building is not only an upgrade of the infrastructure, but also crucial for providing the population with the most complete medical care possible.

If you look beyond the Lübeck clinic, hospitals in Germany face further challenges. The introduction of a nationwide performance group system by 2025, which is intended to replace the current hospital planning, will bring with it far-reaching changes. In the future, around 60-70 performance groups will be defined, which will place clearer quality requirements on personnel, equipment and processes. This will also have an impact on the strategic orientation of the clinics and could fundamentally change their range of services.

Despite all the delays, Sana Kliniken AG remains optimistic and is sticking to its new building plans. But while those responsible prepare for the challenges of the future, they must also overcome the current hurdles in order to achieve the goals Dr. Frank to minimize the risks described. It remains exciting to see what happens next with the new building plans for the Sana clinics in Lübeck - the hope is that positive news will be heard soon.