62 additional beds

New care era in Reutte

After just one and a half years of construction, the new care home in Ehenbichl near Reutte with 62 additional beds was handed over to the Außerfern Municipal Care Association. However, this does not mean that it will soon be in full use.

Something had to happen in the care sector in the district of Reutte; the Außerfern was underserved. And the care association and its 37 municipalities came up with a solution: the Ehrenberg care home on the hospital grounds in Ehenbichl was to be extended by 62 new beds. The ground-breaking ceremony for the huge structure, which was built by WE (Wohnungseigentum) after winning a property development competition, took place in July 2022. After just one and a half years, the completion of "Haus Sintwag" was celebrated on Wednesday with the symbolic handover to the association.

Cost plan adhered to despite current situation
"We are not a home, but a DaHeim," said site mayor Wolfgang Winkler, visibly in a good mood, as did all the partners. It was emphasized several times that the cooperation of all the gears worked particularly well and in a friendly manner. WE Director Walter Soier spoke of "a lot of passion" and that the tight budget of EUR 14 million had been adhered to despite the known problems.

Association chairman Hanspeter Wagner: "We can be really proud, after all we are talking about a total investment of around 21 million euros." In the same breath, substantial investments were also made in the neighboring buildings, for example in the campus of the nursing school or in additional staff apartments.

"Need 70 to 80 more employees"
However, these must first be needed, as the 62 new care places can only be filled gradually. "We need around 70 to 80 more employees," explains Katharina Storf, head of the nursing service, "I can't say for sure when we will reach full capacity." There are currently five young people from Spain in training, among others. Every opportunity to recruit staff must be exploited.