Mainz University Hospital Chief Urges Swift Decision on New Location

Ralf Kiesslich, the chief executive of the University Medical Center Mainz, is pressing for urgent decisions on the future location of the hospital. The medical center, the only university hospital in Rhineland-Palatinate, has long debated whether to renovate its existing, aging facility in Mainz's Oberstadt or establish a new central building at a second site.

“

It is a major issue that has long concerned the University Medical Center.

"It is a major issue that has long concerned the University Medical Center," Kiesslich stated in an interview. He expressed gratitude for the potential to begin discussions with the city, offering input to reach a widely supported decision. The core question is whether to undertake a complete renovation of the current site, which would take until 2055 and disrupt ongoing patient care, or to construct a new central facility at a different location.

Kiesslich argued that renovating the current site is operationally and functionally unsound. "It would be economically irrational because it would be significantly more expensive. It would be functionally not very advantageous because patient care would no longer be as well guaranteed during this construction phase," he explained. Furthermore, he noted the increasing need for resilient hospital structures, which are not feasible at the current inner-city campus.

“

We would be very grateful if we could now enter into discussions with the city.

The coalition agreement of the new state government reportedly supports a two-site solution, with both major parties favoring it. Mainz's mayor, Nino Haase, announced in early May that key decisions regarding a potential new site would be made in the coming months. City officials are currently finalizing an evaluation matrix to assess the advantages and disadvantages of a new location, based on input from the university hospital regarding necessary space, accessibility, and building volume.

“

It would be economically irrational because it would be significantly more expensive. It would be functionally not very advantageous because patient care would no longer be as well guaranteed during this construction phase.