Vienna Authorities Seal Doctor's Office in Favoriten After Massive Deficiencies

According to the City of Vienna, the decision to seal the practice was made on the basis of the Vienna Health and Hygiene Act. Accordingly, the responsible authority is empowered to close premises immediately if they pose a concrete danger to patients. The measure remains in effect until the deficiencies have been fully remedied and verified by the authorities.

Legal Basis for the Sealing

The Medical Association for Vienna announced that it would initiate its own disciplinary proceedings against the treating physician. Should the allegations be confirmed, professional consequences may follow, up to and including revocation of the license to practice medicine. The Austrian Society for Quality Assurance and Quality Management in Medicine also pointed out that the practice had not met the relevant quality standards.

The Vienna Police deployed several patrol units and an identification service. According to the State Police Directorate of Vienna, the officers secured access to the practice and ensured that no more patients entered the premises. No one was injured during the operation.

Information for Affected Patients

Patients who were treated at the practice on Laxenburger Straße in recent months are asked to contact their family doctor or the City of Vienna's telephone health advisory service if they experience health problems. The city also announced a dedicated information hotline to provide details on further steps.

From City Hall, it was stated that the City of Vienna will significantly intensify its inspections of practices. Cooperation with the European Union on cross-border quality standards will also be reviewed, according to the city. Hillerer spoke in this context of a 'consistent stance toward violations of patient protection and hygiene'.

Further Actions by the Authorities

The Immediate Measures Group emphasized that the public can continue to submit reports of deficiencies in doctors' offices directly to MA 15 or via the city's defect reporting portal. Anonymous reports will also be followed up, it was said.

The APA was the first to report on the incident late in the morning. The City of Vienna invited media to a press conference in the afternoon, at which further details are to be announced. Whether the practice will remain permanently closed or will be allowed to reopen after remediation is currently still open.