As the Sainte-Marie Clinic in Esch prepares for major renovations, its geriatric services are being relocated to the Zitha Clinic in Luxembourg City, with caregivers emphasising the importance of personalised care and the urgent need to address staff shortages ahead of a planned new facility on Kirchberg.
It had long been anticipated that the Sainte-Marie Clinic in Esch-sur-Alzette – part of the Hôpitaux Robert Schuman (HRS) group and founded over 100 years ago – would soon close its doors, as its infrastructure is no longer considered up to modern standards. Traditionally providing transitional care for elderly patients after surgery or illness, the clinic is now preparing for major renovations.
As a result, its geriatric services are being relocated to the Zitha Clinic in Luxembourg City's Gare district, with a longer-term plan to move into a new, purpose-built facility on Kirchberg. At the Zitha Clinic, the infrastructure has already been adapted to meet the specific needs of patients, with a strong focus on rehabilitation and restoring daily autonomy.
Patients are now transferring from Esch to Zitha – some reluctantly, others less so. Many had grown attached to the smaller, homelier setting of Sainte-Marie after spending several weeks there.
Two patients shared their impressions of the transition, expressing their satisfaction both with the new location and the care they continued to receive. They stressed how crucial the presence and dedication of the caregivers were in making the environment feel like home, even amid the changes.
Importantly, the caregivers, who know these patients well and understand their specific needs, particularly after surgeries like knee replacements, are moving with them. Michel Thill, director of physiotherapy and occupational therapy services, explained that the goal remains to restore patients' independence as much as possible.
Tailored care involving physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and psycho-motor specialists plays a key role in this process. However, Thill also warned that there is already a shortage of the specialised workforce needed for this type of care, and addressing this gap will be crucial in the coming years.
Elodie Hoellein, assistant head for geriatric rehabilitation, stressed the importance of staff being present and involved during this transition. She noted that relocating to the more central location in Gare would also benefit families, making visits easier and more accessible.
In Esch, any shortcomings in modern facilities were often offset by the kindness and dedication of the staff, patients said. The site had space for 70 patients, with 15 already transferred to Kirchberg in December.
According to Christian Kirwel, director of hospital care at HRS, the geriatric service in Esch has fulfilled its mission. He explained that the new arrangements would allow better rehabilitation for patients recovering from accidents or strokes, aiming to restore their independence and eventually discharge them from geriatric care.
It is no secret that Luxembourg faces a shortage of geriatric care facilities. There are currently three: in Colpach, Steinfort, and now Zitha. However, the move to Zitha is only a temporary solution, with plans for a new geriatric facility next to the existing hospital in Kirchberg already underway.
Kirwel stressed that rehabilitation remains one of the most overburdened services, with demand far outstripping supply – a message, he noted, that cannot be repeated often enough to policymakers.
