SV 23-1
Nov 11, 2025
Joachim Block
‘Learning in a different place’ – a special day at vocational school:
Our visit to the Moritz Clinic in Bad Klosterlausnitz
‘What do we, as the German Federal Pension Insurance Fund, actually spend our money on?’
With this question in mind, we set off on our excursion on 11 November 2025. A varied, informative and entertaining day awaited us at one of the four ‘Gräfliche Kliniken’ rehabilitation clinics, headquartered in Bad Driburg, Westphalia.
At 9 a.m., we were warmly welcomed by the head of social services, Ms Pfeiffer. Over coffee, tea and Bad Driburg mineral water, we were given interesting information about the ‘Graf von Oeynhausen-Sierstorpff’ group of companies, its history and its areas of business.
We learned that the Moritz Clinic offers rehabilitation in the fields of neurology, orthopaedics/trauma surgery and burn injuries, and that many DRV Bund insured persons are treated here.
A particular highlight was the presentation of animal-assisted therapy. We met a speech therapist who works with a therapy dog. The dog, Alfie, is mainly used in speech therapy. It was impressive to hear how positively the patients respond to the animal's presence. The dog motivates them to speak, move or calm down – often with more joy and less inhibition than in traditional therapy.
We were then given a tour of the Moritz Clinic. The tour took us to the intensive care patient rooms (Phase B = early rehabilitation) and hotel-like rooms for normal follow-up treatment, various therapy rooms for occupational therapy and physiotherapy, and the bathing area. We were able to see and observe the patients in the middle of their practical exercises. We were amazed by the digitalisation of therapies using Wii Balance Boards, gait stabilisation machines and mobilisation software. Research and innovation are constantly in use and changing here.
One of the clinic's main areas of focus is the treatment of burn injuries. Patients often require very long and intensive rehabilitation – both physically and psychologically. In scar treatment using negative pressure vacuum massage (NPVM), the affected areas of skin are sucked in and massaged using a treatment head. This mobilises the underlying tissue and makes it more elastic. Vincent, one of the students, was allowed to try out this modern treatment method on his own forearm.
The Hydrojet massage bed, which combines classic massage with heat therapy, was proudly presented. It has a waterbed-like lying surface. The pressure and type of jets through which the heated water flows can be individually adjusted.
At the end of the tour, we were shown the ‘Red Staircase’, which is considered the staircase of hope, where patients who have suffered strokes, amputations, burn injuries or orthopaedic surgery learn to regain their independence.
We were able to ascertain that the DRV's money is definitely being used correctly and that, thanks to our approvals in the rehabilitation department, people can be helped after a stroke of fate. However, we also learned that the daily rate we pay for therapy, meals, accommodation and medical treatment is clearly too low. There is definitely a need for action here!
Trainees in the class SV 23-2