At its 5th emergency conference in Magdeburg, the German Society for Trauma Surgery (DGU) underlined the central importance of civilian clinics in the DGU® Trauma Network for care in crisis and war cases. On 18 September 2025, doctors, politicians and representatives of the Bundeswehr discussed strategies to make the healthcare system more resilient. The conference emphasized that existing structures must be integrated into planning, as the system would quickly be overwhelmed with up to 1,000 injured people per day.

Hospitals are already under pressure due to economic burdens and need support for crisis preparations. Experts called for more joint exercises and clear strategies to make disaster plans practicable. The DGU’s Trauma Network, which comprises over 700 certified clinics, offers proven expertise for the efficient distribution of injured patients and the use of resources.

The DGU formulated concrete demands: Integration of civilian trauma networks in planning, as military facilities are insufficient in terms of space and capacity; coordinated distribution of wounded using trauma surgery expertise; full utilisation of existing capacities by professional societies; close networking of civilian and military supplies; Expansion of further training for orthopaedists and trauma surgeons in the treatment of war injuries. The focus is on specialized expertise, not on bed numbers.

Experience from the Ukraine war shows that complex limb and soft tissue injuries dominate and require highly specialized treatments. Trauma surgery is identified as a bottleneck, while the Trauma Network provides a basis for regional coordination. The conference pleaded for coordinated strategies between professional societies to avoid going it alone and to secure care and disaster control.

Dr. Ute Teichert from the Federal Ministry of Health presented the planned Health Security Act. The DGU is holding talks with politicians to strengthen structures. The event at the University Medical Center Magdeburg drew lessons from real crises such as the attack in the city and emphasized interdisciplinary partnerships for innovative concepts.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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