Adapting, redesigning and improving a German cancer rehabilitation centre for future challenges

In 1996 political decisions caused significant changes within the German rehabilitation system. Rehab centers had to close down and people were laid off. Yet, new challenges came about also. At Bad Lippspringe, a 125-bed hospital for the specialized rehabilitation and supportive care of cancer patients with speech disturbances, urological incontinence, problems with reduced lung function as well as general medical disorders adapted to those current medical, financial and political challenges. This paper describes the rationale and the outcome of a three-year process in which multiple changes for and within the hospital occurred.