Base de Datos de Proyectos de PDR
Improving Healthcare Services in the Municipality of Mirow
Summary
The existing medical group practice in the small town of Mirow was expanded and changed over to a barrier-free House of Health. The objective was to maintain medical care in Mirow while also offering wellness services catering for tourists.
Background
Like in other rural areas in eastern Germany, Mirow and the surrounding area is facing a shortage of doctors. Medical surgeries are often not handed over as no successors can be found, often due to unattractive working hours and low profitability. With almost all of the six resident doctors reaching the age above 60, Mirow was facing acute collapse of General Practitioners (GP) care. This also had a negative effect on the demographic development in the region, as inhabitants moved out of the region, or did not consider moving in due to lack of medical care.
Objective
The main objective of the project was to improve the medical capacity in the Mirow area through recruiting younger doctors as GP and promoting their integration in the activities of the existing medical group practice. At the same time the project aimed at expanding the services offer including acupuncture, sports and rehabilitation medicine and course as well as promoting better integration with the tourism services in the region.
Main activities
The contribution was mainly used for expanding the existing practice’s premises, the purchase of land as well as extending the existing building. Thanks to these investments surgeries were improved by bigger consulting rooms, separated waiting areas for children and persons who need rest, rooms for modern equipment and acupuncture and, separated rooms for administrative tasks. Besides, the ‘Prosanare’ corporation was funded, which runs the House of Health.
Results & Benefits
Enlarging the existing group practice created three new jobs including two new GPs. Short distances improve accessibility to all services for both staff and patients. Thanks to the expansion operating costs decreased, new equipment is acquired faster due to better utilization by several surgeries, a higher number of special medical examinations improved by safety as well as quality. The House of Health takes also actively part in touristic networking and regional development projects.
Lessons learnt
The project was a great challenge to all participants and created many new networks in the local health care as well as tourism sector. It is easier to manage the advanced training for new GPs in a collective and coordinated manner. Physician assistants can also acquire advanced training. For example, providing training as a ‘patient-centred care assistant in a surgery’ (VERAH) usually isn't profitable for one surgery. Now every participating surgery is benefiting from the staff's specialization
Project location and other information
Mirow, Mecklenburgische Seenplatte – Müritz, Mecklenburg Lake District
Region
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
RDP Territory
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Total project cost (€)
1 845 000
EAFRD contribution (€)
250 000
Project website
Contact name
Dr. Uta Arndt, prosanare GmbH
Telephone
+49 (0)39833 2 11 11
Languages for contact
English, German
At a glance
Country
Germany
Final beneficiary type
Public/local authorities, Other, Non-governmental organisations
Budget range
> €500 000
Start date:
01/01/2010
End Date:
31/12/2011
Theme / Measure:
Rural Quality of Life & Economic Diversification
Rural economic diversification
312. Support for business creation and development
Keywords:
Quality of life, Healthcare, Social services
Last update
28/11/2013