Hospital merger

Until 31 March 2024: Political vote

In preparation for the hospital merger, an extensive political coordination process took place in the first quarter of 2024 in order to bring all those involved in local politics to the table.

Until 30 June 2024: Letter of Intent

In a joint declaration of intent, the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg and the city of Korbach, as the owners of the Frankenberg district hospital and the Korbach city hospital, have drawn up a declaration of intent for a joint strategy for the two hospitals.

By 30 September 2024: Coordination of the processes

The internal coordination processes for the hospital merger took place in the third quarter of 2024 - including with the state of Hesse, which is responsible for specialised hospital planning.

By 31 December 2024: Development of a medical strategy

By the end of 2024, a medical strategy for the new hospital at the two sites in Frankenberg and Korbach was developed together with a specialist office. The main aim was to make recommendations on how a merger can be successful. To this end, the current and future service ranges of the two hospitals in Korbach and Frankenberg were analysed - and the further development of the medical services for the new joint facility was derived from this.

Until 31 March: Transaction process award procedure

In order to provide strategic and organisational support for the merger process, a specialist office is being commissioned to assist with the transaction of the two hospitals into one joint facility. The contract was awarded in the first quarter of 2025.

By 30 June 2025: Development of a strategy for the transaction process

The hospital merger is supported by a specialist office that develops and supports the strategy for the transaction process. In particular, this involves the necessary analyses and the preparation of the time and business plan as well as the long-term financial planning for the merger. The concrete implementation of the sub-project steps of the merger are to follow in the near future. This includes preparing and concluding the contracts, unbundling the existing corporate structure and obtaining all legal authorisations.

Until 31 December 2025: Preparation of the merger

All organisational steps required to implement the merger are to be completed by the end of the year so that the merger can be implemented on 1 January 2026. This also includes obtaining all final committee resolutions for the merger of the hospitals.

1 January 2026: Merger

The hospitals in Korbach and Frankenberg are to merge on 1 January 2026 - as one new hospital at two locations.

13 December 2024: District council resolution on hospital merger

With the decision of the district council, the political bodies of the district have set the course for the merger of the hospitals in Frankenberg and Korbach. As part of this decision, the key points of the merger were defined - and thus an important structural decision was made for healthcare provision in Waldeck-Frankenberg.

5 May 2025: Kick-off workshop with consulting firm

Start of the active work phases in which the steering groups, together with the district administration's project team and an external consultancy firm, get to grips with the transaction process. Gerd Brückmann, whom the district has appointed as transformation manager and coordinator for the process, is also providing support.

Until 31 August: Development of legal and social objectives

From May to the end of August, the agenda includes drawing up the legal and social objectives - and carrying out due diligence, i.e. the in-depth examination, evaluation and categorisation of the two companies.

Until 30 November: Conceptual development and drafting of contracts

The conceptual development, including all necessary committee votes and the creation of specific contracts, will set the guidelines and legal framework for the future joint company.

In the first quarter of 2026: The new company: Waldeck-Frankenberg Hospital (KWF)

As part of the merger, a name was sought for the new, joint clinic at two locations. In a transparent process that involved the entire workforce of both hospitals, the employees had a decisive vote in the choice of name. The decision has been made: The merged hospital will be called Klinikum Waldeck-Frankenberg.

In the second quarter of 2026: Preparation for the changes resulting from the hospital reform from 2027

In mixed working groups, experts from both sites develop joint concepts for medicine, care and management. Additional events for the entire workforce strengthen cohesion and the shared clinic culture.

In the third quarter of 2026: Legal completion of the merger through retroactive merger as of 1 January 2026

Following the conclusion of the final merger agreements, the merger of the two hospitals will become legally effective. With this decisive step, the new company Klinikum Waldeck-Frankenberg (KWF) is formally established.

In the fourth quarter of 2026: Allocation of the new supply contracts for both locations by the state of Hesse

The hospital landscape in Germany is being reorganised. For us, this means that the Hessian Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Sport, Health and Care (HMFG) is determining which medical specialisations our two locations will have in the future.

In order to actively shape this change and create the best possible structures, employees are closely involved as part of the F.I.T. project.

In the first quarter of 2027: implementation of the new supply contracts

Following the allocation of the service groups by the Hessian Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Sport, Health and Care, the hospital is now entering the decisive implementation phase. The jointly developed concepts for medicine, care and management are now being realised at both sites. The aim is to optimise the strategic structure in order to fulfil the new care mandates and make the hospital fit for the future.

In the second quarter of 2027: measures to optimise processes as part of the merger strategy 

Building on the structural adjustments, the next decisive phase is now beginning: the standardisation of processes and systems. Both clinical and nursing processes as well as administrative procedures are being standardised across all sites. The aim is to create seamless workflows, increase efficiency and ensure uniformly high quality standards throughout the Waldeck-Frankenberg Clinical Centre.

In the third quarter of 2027: further structural optimisation measures as part of the merger strategy

While the implementation of structural changes is being systematically driven forward at both sites, the hospital is strengthening the ongoing dialogue with the workforce. A digital discussion marketplace is being established as part of the F.I.T. project in order to provide transparent support for this ongoing transformation process and make the best possible use of the expertise of all employees.

In the fourth quarter of 2027: Further measures to optimise processes as part of the merger strategy

The standardisation of processes and systems begun previously is being systematically continued and intensified in this phase. The focus is on fine-tuning workflows and fully integrating the systems into everyday clinical practice.