Goslar District funds new GP practice to combat Liebenburg's doctor shortage

Goslar District has allocated €50,000 to open a new general practitioner’s practice in Liebenburg. The funding aims to address recent medical care shortages in the area after local practice closures. Local leaders have welcomed the move as a necessary step for the community. The district’s decision follows ongoing concerns about healthcare access in Liebenburg. Mayor Alf Hesse and Othfresen’s mayor Harald Fricke both highlighted the strain caused by recent closures. They see the new practice as a solution to the growing demand for medical services.

District Administrator Dr. Alexander Saipa officially handed over the funding approval to Franz Thomas Lahmer. Lahmer, whose main practice is in Dörren, already runs a branch office in Othfresen. There, Dr. Karin Dinkel provides patient care on-site.

Care provision levels play a key role in guiding where new practices open. These figures help prevent shortages or excess in medical staff across the district. Current data for 2026 will not be released until September, but past levels in nearby towns have ranged between 92.4% and 117.1%.

The district’s funding programme has already made an impact this year. It has supported 3.5 statutory health insurance practitioner positions, using most of its annual budget. Since the guidelines began, a total of 11.75 positions have received €587,500 in funding. The €50,000 grant will help establish a full GP practice in Liebenburg. This should ease pressure on local healthcare services. The district continues to monitor care provision levels to ensure balanced medical coverage across the region.