Hamburg Medical Practice Chain Miamedes Ceases Operations
Hamburg, February 27 – The Hamburg-based medical practice chain Miamedes has reportedly ceased its operations, as confirmed by investigations by NDR 90.3 and the Kassenärztliche Vereinigung (KV). Patients of former Miamedes practices, including those in Steilshoop, are encountering closed doors, with the company’s website inaccessible and phone numbers disconnected. The managing director is currently unreachable.
The KV has confirmed the cessation of operations, stating that based on available information, “the practices still belonging to the operating company are no longer participating in contractual medical care.”
Concerns Over Healthcare Provision in Steilshoop
Dr. Mike Müller-Glamann, a general practitioner in neighboring Bramfeld, has expressed urgent concern regarding the situation. He highlights that general medical care in Steilshoop is “no longer truly present,” affecting approximately 5,000 patients. Dr. Müller-Glamann suggests that the KV should temporarily operate a practice itself to bridge the gap.
However, the KV has indicated that this is not currently planned. Instead, the KV refers affected individuals to its appointment service, where they can find a new general practitioner. The KV also states that surrounding practices have taken on numerous affected patients, ensuring their continued care. Within a three-kilometer radius of Steilshoop’s center, there are reportedly 69 general practitioners.
Miamedes Collapse Discussed in Wandsbek District Assembly
The collapse of Miamedes medical practices was a topic of discussion in the Wandsbek District Assembly on Thursday. Thomas Iwan of the Left Party faction stated that the situation in the district continues to worsen. He noted that citizen representatives had warned of this just last week in a letter, even before the Miamedes closure. From the Left Party’s perspective, there is a mechanism to potentially attract more doctors to Steilshoop: the KV could investigate whether there are gaps in provision. This, however, would need to be initiated by the Social Authority, and the district should urge the authority to do so.
Other factions did not support this approach. Carsten Heeder of the SPD stated that the authority is already in contact with the KV. The AfD believes the KV does not need to be prompted to act, as it will do so on its own. The CDU identified another problem: there are hardly any suitable premises in Steilshoop, even if doctors wanted to open practices there. Container solutions or new constructions were suggested as possibilities. The Green Party hopes that more general practitioners could be attracted to Steilshoop with rental subsidies and other incentives. The Social Committee is now set to address these questions.
Previous Financial Difficulties for Miamedes
Miamedes had already faced significant financial difficulties last year. Temporarily, the chain seemed to be saved by a sale, with the company founder expressing confidence at the time that patient care would be secured. Miamedes reportedly had between 10 and 15 doctor’s seats, or licenses for the care of statutory health insurance patients, remaining at the end. Whether and how these will be reoccupied remains unclear.
The closure of Miamedes practices follows previous news regarding the chain. Last year, the stabilization of several medical care centers in Hamburg was reported, with four locations being taken over by a doctor from Bergedorf. This current development indicates a complete cessation of the remaining operations.
The situation underscores the ongoing challenges in ensuring adequate healthcare provision, particularly in specific urban areas, and the complexities involved in managing private medical practice chains within the public healthcare system.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/hamburger-praxis-kette-miamedes-stellt-betrieb-ein,miamedes-104.html
