What are the key challenges the healthcare sector currently faces?
The German healthcare system is under great pressure. On the one hand, demand for medical care is increasing due to demographic changes, while on the other, a shortage of skilled labour, rising operating costs and political plans for reforms are creating huge challenges. Many facilities, but also healthcare providers such as pharmacies, dental labs or billing service providers, are struggling with liquidity problems due to inefficient structures, a lack of digitalisation or difficult refinancing conditions. A good example is the acute psychosomatic specialist clinic Urbachtal, which has come under pressure due to rising costs and difficult access to capital. Only through targeted restructuring and a successful investor solution could operations be continued. This proves that if you act early you can survive in the long term.
How can BBL support organisations through this crisis?
Our experience with clients such as MeinDentist Group, a large chain of dentists with 16 locations, or the medical centre (MVZ) Frankfurt-Westend, proves that every company needs a customised solution. As a rule, we aim to stabilise business operations, find investors or offer a long-term perspective through a transferring restructuring. In the case of Frankfurt-Westend, we assisted with the facilitation of insolvency in self-administration, secured daily operations and developed an investor solution that preserved the centre and the care of more than 40,000 patients per year. That’s what we’re all about: not just managing, but shaping. And through that, creating real prospects.
And what’s your recommendation to companies in the healthcare sector?
Proactive crisis management is everything. If you review cost structures in good time, optimise your digital processes and strategically position yourself, you’ll have the best chances. At the same time, banks, investors and other stakeholders need to have a seat at the same table. Often, we see that companies wait too long – then, insolvency is often the only choice. But from our experience we can say that with the right measures in place, like with MeinDentist Group, you can find a suitable solution even in difficult situations.
