Baden-Württemberg to Close 18 Emergency Clinics Amid Protests

The closures are driven by a shortage of medical personnel, sparking significant public opposition.

The Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Baden-Württemberg (KVBW) plans to close 18 emergency clinics by April 2025 due to a shortage of doctors.
Protests have erupted across the region, with hundreds of demonstrators voicing concerns over reduced access to emergency care.
The KVBW aims to ensure 95% of patients can reach an emergency clinic within 30 minutes, consolidating services with hospitals for better resource utilization.
Local leaders and politicians have called on the state government to halt the closures, citing broken promises and potential impacts on rural healthcare access.
Telemedicine and enhanced home visit services are proposed as part of the strategy to maintain healthcare quality despite fewer physical clinics.