The termination of a chief physician at the hospital in Friedrichshafen continues to cause a stir. The doctor, who was relieved of his duties after the suicide of a senior doctor, had legally defended himself against his dismissal.
According to a media report, the doctor will probably continue to be employed – and will receive a severance payment worth millions. Contrary to what is stated, this is far from a done deal, as Simon Blümcke, mayor of Friedrichshafen and chairman of the hospital's supervisory board, makes clear. An overview.
What is the history of the dispute?
The suicide of a senior doctor in December 2023 shocked the clinic and the region. They had previously repeatedly criticized internal medical and structural decisions, which, according to them, had led to the deaths of patients in individual cases. Particularly in focus at the time: a chief physician.
The doctor did not get through with her criticism, on the contrary. Her termination is imminent. She took her own life.
In the case, the public prosecutor's offices in Ravensburg and Stuttgart are investigating, among other things, suspicion of negligent homicide, failure to provide assistance and billing fraud. The presumption of innocence applies until the trial is completed.
How did the doctor's dismissal end up in court?
Independent of the investigations by the public prosecutor and the police, the clinic commissioned a compliance investigation by an external law firm. This was intended to address the allegations made by the deceased senior doctor. One consequence: the immediate termination of the chief physician in July 2024.
He is defending himself against this before the Ulm Labor Court (Ravensburg Chambers). The clinic and the chief physician have already met for a so-called conciliation meeting before the labor court.
Because no agreement was reached, the responsible chamber initiated so-called materiel proceedings. This process has not yet been formally concluded, as a spokesman for the court reported when asked.
What is the current status of the process?
According to a report by “Südkurier”, the results of the procedure were said to have been presented to the hospital’s supervisory board. As the report states, the hospital's supervisory board had been informed that the “ordinary termination” of the chief physician was invalid.
The reason for this is said to be that the doctor was elected as the clinic's radiation protection officer, which would mean protection against dismissal.
In addition, the supervisory board is said to have decided on a settlement, according to which the doctor will continue to work at the clinic for many years, subject to exemption. According to “Südkurier”, the resulting annual salaries amount to millions.
How do the hospital and the supervisory board say?
“Deliberations of the supervisory board are not public and are subject to confidentiality, and we are also in ongoing proceedings,” says Mayor Simon Blümcke in his role as chairman of the hospital’s supervisory board when asked.
Therefore, neither the clinic nor the supervisory board comment on the content of the consultation or resolutions. Blümcke nevertheless commented on the reporting: “First of all, I would like to make it clear that the MCB did indeed issue an extraordinary dismissal against the chief physician concerned.”
Contrary to what is stated, the supervisory board has not yet decided on a settlement, as Blümcke explained: “We have had a settlement proposal from the property judge since yesterday.” This will be examined intensively in the coming days and, if necessary, discussed further with the supervisory board.”
And further: “A verdict of approval or comparison must be accepted by both sides, this has definitely not happened on our part.” “The conclusions of the Südkurier are therefore not correct,” says the mayor.
The clinic is once again a topic on ARD
The shocking case surrounding the death of a senior doctor at the hospital in Friedrichshafen continues to make national headlines. On Tuesday, the ARD magazine “Report Mainz” discussed the events again.
Under the title “Extradited – The Power of Chief Physicians,” three cases of doctors who were “systematically bullied or threatened out of their jobs” because they denounced “abuses in clinics” are examined. as the ARD writes on its website.
As in a broadcast in June, the sister of the deceased doctor from Friedrichshafen also has her say: “My sister was destroyed by her chief physician and the managing director of the clinic. And I can’t accept that,” says the woman in the film.
