Hamburg, June 9 – Comprehensive plans for the future of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) and the Boberg Trauma Clinic were presented on Tuesday at Hamburg City Hall. The proposal outlines a new construction at the UKE campus dedicated to treating severely injured patients, while the existing Boberg site will undergo new developments for rehabilitation services and the care of paraplegic individuals.
“Positioning Both Clinics at the Medical Forefront”
Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) strongly advocated for the solution developed jointly by UKE and BG Klinikum during the press conference. He stated, “Now there is a solution where we utilize the best synergies to position both clinics at the modern medical forefront.”
New Building at UKE for Severely Injured Patients
The BG Klinikum, which operates the trauma hospital, will permanently treat severely injured patients at UKE. This will involve the construction of a new building directly adjacent to UKE’s main facility. The trauma clinic plans to invest 1.2 billion euros in this project.
Bergedorf Not to Be Neglected
Concurrently, the Mayor and the Senator for Social Affairs pledged that the Bergedorf location would not be overlooked. Measures include the expansion of the Central Emergency Room at Bethesda Hospital.
New 350-Bed Facility in Bergedorf
Cornelia Schmidt-Hoffmann (SPD), head of the Bergedorf district office, expressed initial relief. According to Reinhard Nieper, chairman of the BG Kliniken management board, the existing Bergedorf site will feature a new 350-bed facility. This development will include a new spinal cord injury center, rehabilitation facilities, and a sports medicine center.
A medical care center with an emergency outpatient clinic and an operating center, along with an outpatient pediatric traumatology center, will continue to ensure healthcare provision for residents in Bergedorf. The emergency medical services station, including ambulances and the rescue helicopter, are also slated to remain at the Bergedorf location.
Relief for Bergedorf’s District Head
After much speculation, there is now clarity, said Cornelia Schmidt-Hoffmann. “Emergency doctors, the rescue station, and the helicopter will remain – and with them, not only crucial care areas but also highly qualified jobs in Bergedorf.” The BG Clinic is currently Bergedorf’s largest employer and plays a critical role in the district’s healthcare provision.
Criticism from The Left and AfD
Reactions among the factions in Bergedorf City Hall have been varied. The Greens welcomed the merger, in contrast to The Left parliamentary group. Bergedorf member Stephan Jersch stated that the Boberg clinic was being hollowed out in favor of UKE. The AfD described it as a “fatal signal.”
The Bergedorf CDU faction, which had long called for a new building in Boberg, now at least welcomed the preservation of emergency care.
Boberg Hospital: New Construction in Bergedorf Temporarily on Hold
The planning team has canceled the tendering process. The framework conditions have changed due to hospital reform.
This topic was broadcast on NDR Fernsehen | Hamburg Journal | June 9, 2026 | 7:30 PM.
