Officially, the state government in Hanover will now decide on this "recommendation".

The council and mayor of the city of Salzgitter are irritated and extremely disappointed by this and unanimously passed a resolution to this effect on July 16.

Among other things, the resolution states that "without a new replacement building, there is a risk that the hospital will no longer be able to fulfill its care mandate in the medium term and that the site cannot be retained." This assessment is also shared by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Health.

Lord Mayor Frank Klingebiel: "At the regional conference on June 13, there was still a discussion that led us to expect a good result. The committee's recommendation does not meet the needs of the situation. The building only has a future if it is fully funded now. The process, which has been ongoing since 2004, has dragged on for an unbearably long time. I am convinced that both clinics in Salzgitter, St. Elisabeth and Helios-Klinikum, have an economically secure future."

"The Council and the Lord Mayor expect a positive decision to be made without delay," is the final demand in the resolution.