Emergency room in Weyertal Hospital closes: What does that mean for Cologne?

Emergency room in Weyertal Hospital closes: What does that mean for Cologne?

After a year and a half as part of the Cologne University Hospital, the central emergency room (ZNA) of the Evangelical Hospital Weyertal will be closed from July 1st. Since this weekend, ambulances have been taking over acute emergencies and taking patients to the nearby ZNA at the university hospital, which is only 800 meters away. On average, around 25 to 30 people were treated per day in the EVK Weyertal emergency department. Particularly seriously injured patients are transferred directly to the university clinic or other trauma centers to ensure the best possible care. Nine emergency department employees will be given new tasks in the hospital and will not be fired. Instead, the operation of the emergency clinic will be converted into a control center that will take over patient referrals. Rundschau Online was able to report this.

The Weyertal's strategic focus on geriatric medicine is interesting. With the founding of the “Centre for Medicine in Aging”, the focus is on the care of older patients. Those responsible there rely on modern, holistic care close to home. Preparing patients for an independent return to everyday life is a central goal. The focus here is on multimorbidity, frailty and the use of five or more medications. In view of the demographic change, in which a third of the population in Germany will be over 65 years old by 2050, this approach is forward-looking and necessary.

Demographic change as a challenge

Demographic change not only poses new challenges for the healthcare sector, but also for all areas of society. The increase in illnesses and increased morbidity are already noticeable. Current studies show that hospitals like Weyertal are being forced to rethink their personnel structure. What is important here is the change from traditional personnel management to strategic personnel management. This also includes the development of individual measures, as Ärzteblatt emphasizes, in order to specifically promote younger doctors and at the same time strengthen the skills of older employees.

Another central point is the design of working time models. Older employees have individual wishes and flexible solutions, such as flexible working hours or job sharing, are in demand. Adapting to the physical and psychological stress is essential. Studies show that many nursing jobs are physically demanding, requiring the use of assistive devices and preventative exercises to prevent injuries.

Overall, it shows that the Weyertal is not only reacting to the closure of the emergency room, but is also actively responding to the changes in society. By strengthening geriatric medicine, the hospital wants to make an important contribution to health care for the older generation and at the same time create a sustainable structure for its own workforce. It remains to be seen how these developments will play out in the coming years.