Neusäß: Citizens demand more transparency in the new university hospital building!

Neusäß: Citizens demand more transparency in the new university hospital building!

On November 9th the time had come: Over 80 citizens from Neusäß, Stadtbergen and Augsburg gathered to find out about the current status of the new university clinic building. The event was led by Susanne Höhnle, the third mayor of Neusäß, and the state parliament member Anna Rasehorn (SPD). An important topic that came up during the meeting was the complex financing problem for the replacement construction of three important Bavarian university hospitals: Augsburg, Würzburg and Munich-Großhadern.

The investment volume for these projects amounts to a whopping 10 billion euros. But there are disputes: Some participants in the meeting expressed criticism of the Swabian government's refusal to carry out a spatial impact assessment for the two construction sites. This review could analyze both the benefits and challenges of the two construction sites within six months and minimize potential conflicts. A positive example of this was the process of building a new Deutsche Bahn line between Augsburg and Ulm, which was praised for its transparency.

Criticism of decision-making processes

Another point of discussion was the early decision of the Bavarian State Ministry for Science and Art in favor of the West construction site, which many believe is not optimally developed. There is great astonishment that there is no information about a possible time advantage for this construction site compared to the alternative in the east. The upcoming construction would also affect the clinic park, which is of great importance for patients and the climate in Neusäß. It is estimated that 35,000 to 40,000 truckloads would be necessary to transport the clinic park to be demolished.

Susanne Höhnle made it clear that the process needs more transparency. The affected communities and residents must be more closely involved in decisions, and traffic and environmental concerns should not be left behind. These demands were supported by many citizens and underline the desire for active participation in such an important project.

Construction stages and priorities

According to the current information, the existing budget is apparently not sufficient to rebuild the entire health care system at MHH. Therefore, high priority construction phases must be identified. The first construction phase of the new hospital building has already been determined and includes a building complex with various medical functions, including the central emergency room and special areas for emergencies, heart, lungs and head and nerves.

This first phase of construction is intended to accommodate all the necessary beds and outpatient clinics and can be financed through a special fund. There are still no clear financing options for the subsequent construction stages, which affect, among other things, parents and children as well as oncology and immunology. It remains to be seen how financing and implementation will develop in the coming months.