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Several doctors have left the children’s clinic and the staffing situation is currently tense. © Cedric Nougrigat
After the only pediatric endocrinologist in the Märkischer Kreis left the children’s clinic, around 100 underage patients were no longer cared for. Now there is a solution.
Lüdenscheid – As the Märkische Kliniken announced on Monday morning (October 28th), they can now offer a transitional solution for the affected patients. At least “basic care in the children’s clinic’s diabetes outpatient clinic” is now possible again for children and young people.
According to the information, this emerged from a conversation with the Westphalia-Lippe Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KVWL) last Friday. This is initially good news for the young patients and their parents, as they were caught off guard by the restrictions in the diabetes outpatient clinic and were close to despair. A family from Plettenberg told our newspaper about the hardships.
Doctor announces: No more diabetes prescriptions in the children’s clinic
As reported, it has no longer been possible to issue prescriptions in the diabetes outpatient clinic at the clinic for children and adolescents since October 1, 2024. “The – relatively rare – authorization for this was tied to a medical colleague who had left the clinic,” explained clinic spokeswoman Sigrid Bicking at the time. The doctor had left the children’s clinic and thus left a vacuum in the care of young diabetes patients not only in Lüdenscheid, but in the entire Märkisches Kreis, where no other doctor had the authorization. In addition to the doctor, two other senior physicians, the senior physician and the chief physician of the children’s clinic, resigned. The positions have now been re-advertised.
The Märkische Kliniken speak of a transitional solution that was achieved in close coordination with the Westphalia-Lippe Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians. It is subject to an association decision, but will apply immediately.
Interim solution: issuing prescriptions possible again
Specifically, the agreement means that a check-up is again possible for patients with health insurance and that blood tests and the issuing of prescriptions can also be offered. “If more complex situations arise, for example in the event of a derailment with ketoacidosis, professionally qualified care can continue to be provided in an inpatient setting at the Lüdenscheid Clinic,” the statement continues.
However, for more complex issues that require outpatient care, patients “would still have to go to one of the pediatric diabetes outpatient clinics in the area.” The diabetes outpatient clinic provides help and advice for those affected on 02351-463890, which also provides contact details for other facilities transmitted.
A temporary solution should not become a permanent solution
With the interim solution, partial supply is initially restored. However, as part of filling the doctor’s position, a targeted search should continue to be made for a doctor with the necessary qualifications so that the interim solution does not become a permanent solution.
