Clinic merger process has started
Preparations for the merger of the clinics in Korbach and Frankenberg are in full swing. The starting signal has now been given for the next milestone: the active working phase, in which the steering groups, together with the project team from the district administration and an external consultancy firm, will enter the transaction process in concrete terms. Gerd Brückmann, whom the district has appointed as coordinator for the process, will also provide support in future.
Organise, coordinate, manage
Gerd Brückmann, an experienced healthcare expert and former managing director of the DRK Kreisverband Korbach-Bad Arolsen e.V., will manage the individual steps of the complex merger - with the aim of creating a joint hospital at two locations from the two hospitals in Korbach and Frankenberg. "In Gerd Brückmann, we have gained a proven expert who understands the challenges and opportunities of this merger very well," emphasises District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst. "His task will be to organise, coordinate and manage the merger process."
Mergerpicks up speed
The merger continues to pick up speed. At the beginning of May, the project is planned in a joint kick-off meeting, which means that a timetable is drawn up, priorities are set, milestones are defined, tasks are assigned and work packages are put together. In particular, tax, financial, organisational and legal issues need to be clarified - as well as the development of a target image for the new joint company structures. In the next step, the teams draw up the necessary contracts and agreements with the involvement of the political bodies of the district and the town of Korbach.
After the merger on paper on 1 January 2026, the third and final phase will begin: the actual transformation process, in which concrete structures, organisational units and departments will be formed for the new company and the two companies will be gradually merged in practice. A project and action plan will also be drawn up for this in the coming months.
Close communication between all those involved
Gerd Brückmann will play a leading role in all milestones as transformation manager in coordination with the district administrator. "The implementation of the project plan and the development of specific measures will take place through intensive communication between the district's project team, the steering groups, the consultancy office, the management teams, works councils and the medical and nursing staff at the clinics. This is because the development of a uniform corporate culture is also of great importance here," explains Gerd Brückmann.
"Strengthening the medical offering"
"The entire project is not just about the formal transaction process, but also about improving processes, utilising synergies, stabilising economic performance, but above all: strengthening the medical offering," emphasise District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst and First District Councillor Karl-Friedrich Frese once again. Gerd Brückmann is also convinced of the success of the project: "Given the difficult economic conditions in the healthcare sector, the merger of the two facilities promises to strengthen and expand care structures for the people in the region." The mayor of the town of Korbach agrees: "Both hospitals - the one in Frankenberg and our hospital in Korbach - are and will remain indispensable for high-quality healthcare in our region," says Stefan Kieweg. "The pooling of expertise will make both facilities fit for the future."
Caption: Gerd Brückmann (4th from left) will support the hospital merger as transformation manager in future. First District Councillor Karl-Friedrich Frese, Managing Director of Frankenberg District Hospital Margarete Janson, District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst, Korbach Mayor Stefan Kieweg and Managing Director of Korbach Hospital Sassan Pur give him a warm welcome. Photo: District of Waldeck-Frankenberg