The multi-purpose hall in Ingenried was filled almost to the last standing room. Everyone wanted to hear what the district administrator had to say about the Schongau hospital. © Wölfle
For the first time, District Administrator Andrea Jochner-Weiß and Claus Rauschmeier, Deputy Managing Director of Krankenhaus GmbH, jointly answered questions from a municipal council – at the most recent meeting in Ingenried. This was preceded by a demonstration in front of the multi-purpose hall.
Ingenried – With whistles and boos, the district administrator was received by the estimated 250 demonstrators in front of the municipal council meeting in Ingenried, according to the police. But instead of going straight to the multi-purpose hall, she faced the sometimes very angry citizens.
The hall was then filled to the last seat – by people from Ingenried, but also by many people from the surrounding communities. They did not want to miss the rare opportunity of a public justification by those responsible for the district and the hospital GmbH.
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"It was the district administrator's suggestion to come to us today and face the questions," revealed Ingenried's mayor Georg Saur in his welcome address. He had to put up with the accusation in advance that he had sent the questions to the district administrator and Rauschmeier in advance. "The simple reason for this is that it gave the two of them the opportunity to think about it and now be able to answer precisely and comprehensibly at the meeting."
Even before the big Q&A session, Mayor Georg Saur (center) handed over the resolution to District Administrator Andrea Jochner-Weiß and Claus Rauschmeier, Deputy Managing Director of Krankenhaus-GmbH. © Wölfle
In retrospect, this turned out to be the right strategy, because there was little "chatter". This was not only due to the 25 specific questions that the municipal council had bundled, but also to the spontaneous objections and well-founded inquiries on the part of the councillors and the mayor – guests do not have the right to speak in municipal council meetings.
Closure of the maternity ward explained again
A major issue was always the closure of the maternity ward in the Schongau hospital, although the referendum had clearly achieved that it should be maintained. Or should have. "This decision has absolutely nothing to do with the referendum," Jochner-Weiß clarified.
Rather, the dismissal of the two gynaecologists no longer guaranteed safety for mother and child. "We only had one chief physician, that's not enough. And who takes responsibility if something happens?" she asked the group.
Only brief sneering laughter
The district administrator as well as Claus Rauschmeier assured that doctors were being sought at full speed to reopen the department. The managing director added that there are currently talks with the Schongau midwives on alternative concepts. "This is really a matter close to my heart," Jochner-Weiß emphasized, earning derisive laughter from the otherwise very disciplined guests.
When Sieglinde Schuster presented the work of the action alliance "Pro Krankenhaus Schongau" and mentioned that the two gynaecologists had declared their willingness to return at a demonstration in Schongau, the district administrator diligently took notes. The beginning of a turnaround?
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Again and again, the topic of "central hospital" was discussed: be it in the process of coming to terms with the past or the prospects for the future. It became clear again and again that the district administrator would have clearly preferred this solution, with the Schongau site as an outpatient facility. "That would have been a lighthouse project," she sighed.
"Let yourself be surprised"
"I don't know where the journey is going now, all planning has been cancelled by the decision," said the district administrator. Currently, it is being examined what is feasible and financially feasible in Schongau. A draft of a plan for the future is to be presented to the district council at the end of July, and: "Maybe we can say more in the fall. Something will definitely change. Let yourself be surprised."
Further questions from the municipal council dealt with the management, in particular with managing director Thomas Lippmann. The Ingenrieders wanted to know why he was taken from the front row at most performances. "Mr. Lippmann has become a pawn victim. What is he supposed to be guilty of? He has only implemented what the supervisory board and the district council have decided," Jochner-Weiß defended him. And: "Mr. Lippmann and Mr. Rauschmeier are a dream team."
Both defend Managing Director Lippmann
The district administrator also did not want to leave the accusations that staff were leaving due to Lippmann's lack of tact in personal conversations. "Our employees have even drafted a letter urging Mr. Lippmann to stay."
Even Rauschmeier, who, according to his own statement, was present at all personnel interviews, did not want to have heard an inappropriate tone. What they both already see, however, is that the staffing of the two hospitals is drifting apart. "With the prospect of a central hospital, the mood was so good, everyone celebrated together, grew together," the district administrator looked back.
Bound by the referendum - as long as it is valid
Now there is a rift going through the employees, keyword "emotional division into East and West" – once again in the district. And not only that: Due to a lack of prospects, many employees and doctors would turn their backs on the hospital.
Those responsible also rejected a "weakening of the Schongau site", which is said to have been "planned for a long time" with the relocation of well-running departments to Weilheim: "We have not relocated anything at all," Jochner-Weiß defended himself and listed the current departments of the hospital.
The local newspapers in the district of Weilheim-Schongau are represented under "merkur_wm_sog" on Instagram.
Before the Q&A session ended, local councillor Andreas Fichtl spoke up: "I have the wording of the referendum in front of me. This calls for the long-term preservation of both hospitals in their current form. Will you abide by it?" Jochner-Weiß: "Yes, as long as we are bound by it."
Schongau Hospital with basic and emergency care?
In her presentation at the end of the meeting, Sieglinde Schuster from the Action Alliance appealed to those responsible to take the fears and concerns of citizens seriously. Mayor Georg Saur went one step further: "We learned a lot today, and perhaps some fears and anxieties have been taken away as a result. And I heard the promise that the Schongau hospital would continue to provide basic and emergency care." The subsequent objection of the district administrator was drowned out by the applause of the guests.
