Lord Mayor Frank Klingebiel explains: "The support for GPs in Salzgitter, which I have championed together with our health department head Dr. Dirk Härdrich and the council parties, has proven to be an effective means of improving the supply of GP practices in our city. This year alone, 150,000 euros in funding was paid out to two practices. A grant of 100,000 euros went to general practitioner Dr. Stephanie Koch and internist Christin Runge, who together run the GP practice in Lesse. A small but decisive voluntary contribution from the city of Salzgitter to finance the overall costs. In this case, the doctors were able to acquire an existing practice and ensure its continuation with the help of the funding. Previously, decisions on funding applications received were made once a year. On the basis of the amended funding guidelines, a decision on funding applications received will now be made promptly in future. This was my concern because we have noticed that the waiting times for a funding decision can have a negative impact in some circumstances. Based on the Council's decision, the decision-making process will now be significantly accelerated in future."

According to the funding guideline, the following can be funded

• Support for new construction, conversion and equipment,
• Grants for the takeover of existing practices,
• Modernization of medical equipment and digital infrastructure or
• Support for further outpatient training to become a specialist in general medicine.

Further information can be found here.