Shock for Merzig: Psychiatry will remain closed from today!

Shock for Merzig: Psychiatry will remain closed from today!

The inpatient psychiatric ward at the SHG Clinic in Merzig will be temporarily closed from June 1, 2025. This decision was confirmed by the clinic management and is related to long-standing personnel problems and the clinic's financial situation. The closure affects the last remaining eight beds, which will now also be relocated to Völklingen. Two years ago, 20 beds were transferred from the Merzig facility to the neighboring city, which further limited supply resources. In a statement on the subject, the Ministry of Health emphasized the need for close psychiatric care and called for a quick solution to the situation that has arisen.

Passers-by in Merzig's pedestrian zone were asked about the planned closure. Opinions are divided because many citizens consider the possibility of psychiatric care in their own city to be important. This is also reflected in the statements of Health Minister Magnus Jung (SPD), who points out the importance of easily accessible services for mentally ill people. However, the situation is not new; The problems have been known for a long time and are recognized by the SHG clinic.

Causes and consequences of the closure

According to the report from the Saarbrücker Zeitung, the closure of the Merzig Psychiatry will be primarily associated with a permanent shortage of staff and an almost threefold increase in costs due to the use of fee-based doctors justified. Since the clinic went bankrupt in the summer of 2023, the situation has worsened dramatically. The hospital plan originally called for 76 beds for the entire district, but the Merzig clinic was already struggling with financial difficulties.

Although the closure of obstetrics and psychiatry was originally completely under discussion, it was decided to maintain at least basic care. As a result, however, the clinics also had to turn away acute patients, which further increases the urgency of a solution. The Ministry of Health has made the SHG responsible for ensuring that the supply mandate can continue to be adhered to despite the closure.

The relocation of all inpatients to Völklingen represents a challenge for many of those affected, as longer journeys and less familiarity with the new environment could make treatment more difficult. The closure of the Merzig Psychiatry not only represents a loss for the clinic, but also has a significant impact on the care landscape in the region. The citizens of Merzig are concerned about the effects of this development and hope for early solutions from those responsible for health care.

For further information on this topic, click on the report from SR.de and the article from Saarbrücker Newspaper.