Major Overhaul of Hospital Services in NRW Finalized

North Rhine-Westphalia's new hospital plan reduces treatment locations for specialized procedures while preserving emergency care access.

The new hospital plan in NRW will significantly reduce the number of locations offering specialized treatments like knee and hip surgeries, as well as complex cancer operations, to improve care quality through specialization.
Emergency care will remain widely accessible, with 90% of the population able to reach a hospital with internal medicine and surgery within 20 minutes by car.
The reform shifts focus from hospital bed counts to meeting actual patient needs and adhering to strict quality standards, aiming to eliminate inefficient competition between facilities.
Over 300 hospitals received final notifications detailing their approved treatment responsibilities, with the plan set to take effect on April 1, 2025, and transitional periods extending to the end of 2025 for some services.
The changes are expected to enhance patient outcomes by concentrating expertise, though they may require longer travel for non-emergency procedures.