Patient complaints trigger calls for action at Bruckmühl rehab clinic

BR research has uncovered numerous complaints from patients and relatives about conditions at the geriatric rehabilitation clinic in Bruckmühl, including untreated wounds, missing medication and understaffing. Politicians are now calling for consequences.

The clinic is operated by the same provider as another facility that was closed in the spring following similar allegations. Prosecutors have been investigating that facility for three years.

Ruth Waldmann, the SPD’s health policy spokesperson, called for the situation in Bruckmühl to be fully clarified. She said the case suggested that the official control mechanisms had failed, since the problems were exposed by BR research rather than by the authorities responsible for monitoring the facility.

Waldmann also wants to know what conclusions and consequences the Bavarian Health and Care Ministry has drawn from the earlier closure.

The ministry said possible shortcomings should be investigated quickly and thoroughly by the responsible authorities. It identified the Rosenheim district office as the contact authority for the Bruckmühl clinic.

According to the ministry, it first learned of complaints in 2023 and instructed the government of Upper Bavaria to ensure that the Rosenheim district office dealt with them promptly. Oversight is carried out by lower administrative authorities, in this case the district office, and by the Medical Service under federal laws.

Bavaria’s patient commissioner, Thomas Zöller of the CSU, said the problem also involved the exchange of information. He suggested that data protection rules could be preventing district offices and the Medical Service from sharing information.

AfD health policy spokesman Andreas Winhart said the issue was not new. He criticised the Medical Service for not being independent because it is financed by health insurers.

Waldmann said the case pointed to systemic problems rather than isolated mistakes by individuals. If responsibilities for inspections were unclear and cooperation between health insurers and district offices did not work, she said, action was needed.

Standard rehabilitation is intended to help patients return to working life and is financed by pension insurance. For retired patients, including those with chronic illnesses, health insurers cover the costs.