Hospice Island's abrupt closure leaves terminally ill patients stranded in Ebersberg
Hospice Island in Glonn has shut down after only three and a half years. The closure follows sudden staff resignations, leaving terminally ill patients without local care. Four residents were urgently moved to a nearby nursing home as a result.
The hospice opened in 2022 to address a lack of inpatient palliative care in the Ebersberg district. With 12 beds, it provided essential support, though patients had to cover part of their board and lodging costs themselves. Daily expenses per patient reached around €100, amounting to roughly €9,000 over a typical three-month stay.
Unlike larger facilities, health insurance did not fully fund stays at Hospice Island. The Ebersberg district administration contributed up to €75,000 annually to offset deficits. Despite this backing, the hospice could not sustain operations after two specialised staff members left unexpectedly.
No other hospice services exist in the area, forcing patients to seek alternatives in neighbouring districts. The nearest options now include the Hospiz Trudering in Munich (25 km away), Agaplesion Bethanien in Munich (20 km), or the Caritas Hospice in Erding (30 km). Neither Caritas nor Marienheim, the organisation managing the hospice, has commented on the closure.
The shutdown creates a critical gap in care for terminally ill residents in Ebersberg. Patients must now travel significant distances for hospice support. The district's only dedicated care facility has closed, leaving families and healthcare providers with limited options.
