It is a sensitive topic in the Saanenland: health care. Locals and guests bemoaned the loss of the Saanen hospital – and some still do. At the same time, the looming problem of soon-to-retire GPs who might not find a successor for their practice is well-known. All attempts to make a significant move in health care have failed so far, which always feels like too many hours of hard work and too much money lost for nothing.

But now the good news. Plans are being worked on to which all involved parties agree. Local authorities, politicians, experts, and medics agree on the general direction the health care project must take. The approach seems sensible and down-to-earth. Certainly, these developments must make everybody happy and satisfy sceptics and doubters.

I admit, I was surprised and took the news in with a slight sense of disbelief. It sounded too good to be true. Everybody was agreeing and so happy about the developments of the last months. Is it possible?!

The sceptic in me says that there are still many hurdles ahead (not least financial ones) but I also hope that they will be overcome.

Best regards,
Markus Iseli