Dear fellow residents
June 30 marked the end of an important chapter in our town's history:
The hospital, which was founded in 1886 with three sisters from the order of the “Arme Dienstmägde Jesu Christi”, closed its doors for good. What once began as a small institution with great dedication and charity developed over the decades into a place of help, hope and healing.
Over the decades, the hospital developed into an important facility for the town and the surrounding area. Numerous generations have seen the light of day within these walls, first in Zell and from 01.08.1974 on the Barl, have been cared for, accompanied, healed - and sometimes not left alone on their last journey.
Countless people - doctors, nursing staff, pastoral workers, cleaners, cooks, administrative staff and, in particular, generations of nuns who selflessly gave of themselves in Christian charity, stood by the people.
Their commitment was a valuable service to the community and made the hospital what it was - a place of help, humanity and trust.
Our sincere thanks go to them all. You have worked here with heart and mind. They all shaped the spirit of the hospital with their commitment and attitude.
Their work was more than a profession: it was a vocation.
The closure for the aforementioned economic reasons is painful. It is an expression of a profound change in the healthcare system and in our society, which hits rural areas particularly hard. I ask myself: is it only economic values that count today? Are Christian values no longer in demand in our society?
What remains is the memory of almost 140 years of active care.
The closure not only marks the end of an institution, but also the loss of a familiar place that is associated with personal memories and experiences for many residents.
Looking back, we see one thing above all: deep gratitude. For what has been achieved. For the attention. For the humanity that has shaped this place for so many decades.
Unfortunately, today “profitability” stands for the continued existence of inpatient healthcare for the population.
The “Medical Care Center” (Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum, MVZ), a group practice that is to replace our hospital in the future, cannot provide the inpatient care that people have received for almost 140 years.
Together with the municipality of Zell (Mosel), we will work on behalf of the town of Zell (Mosel) to ensure that at least emergency care is guaranteed for our residents from Zell and the catchment area of the Mittelmosel Klinik in the future.
Although the local municipalities have very limited influence, we will continue to use the means at our disposal to ensure adequate and good healthcare.
Your
Mayor
Hans-Peter Döpgen