A paediatric doctor's practice near Stuttgart has drawn widespread criticism for refusing to treat patients unless they speak in German or bring an interpreter to their appointment.

Paediatric doctors' practice refuses non-German speaking patients

A doctors’ practice in Kirchheim unter Teck, near Stuttgart, has garnered national attention after displaying a sign in its reception which reads, “In this practice, we exclusively speak German”.

“Should communication not be possible due to a lack of German language skills and no interpreter present, we must cancel appointments unless in case of an emergency,” the sign, which has already been on display for two months, reads.

After the practice’s decision to display the sign made headlines and sparked discussion online, paediatrician Ulrich Kuhn and fellow staff explained to the dpa that the policy was instituted to protect employees from legal liability.

Kuhn said an estimated half of his patients have a migration background and the practice is receiving an increasing number of children whose parents don’t speak German, meaning they cannot be asked, for example, about their medical history or possible allergies. “We simply couldn’t convey to the patients and their parents what to do,” he explained. Kuhn claimed that “parents with a migration background have not reacted negatively [...] they are now bringing interpreters”. 

German doctors must explain treatment to patients

According to German law, doctors can end or refuse an appointment if they believe a fundamental communication problem means patients cannot understand medical advice. In some cases, such as issuing vaccinations, doctors are obligated to explain certain treatments.

However, some view the decision by Kuhn and colleagues as discriminatory. In a critical Google review from before the story hit headlines, user Nadine Spangenberg wrote, “Parents have to visit a German course for three years before their children can be treated. Very kind, I’m sure that’s how you would imagine it would be when you were fleeing war or persecution”. 

Speaking to public broadcaster SWR, Kuhn said that his practice was not motivated by discrimination or racism, adding that politicians should find solutions to increasing communication problems, such as employing specialised interpreters in doctors' offices.

“Anti-integration budget” will do little to help social cohesion, say PRO ASYL

The divisive policy and suggested solution from Kuhn came shortly after the German government announced what human rights organisation PRO ASYL has dubbed its “anti-integration budget”.

While an OECD study published in July 2024 found that Germany must do more to support migrants in learning German, the coalition government plans to cut funding for integration courses by half as part of its 2025 budget.

In a press release and speaking to IamExpat, PRO ASYL warned that these cuts further threaten “social cohesion and social peace”. “Early investment in high-quality language and integration courses is an important contribution to an open, inclusive society,” the organisation said, calling for an urgent expansion of language courses to help migrants and refugees participate in German society.

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