Münster Invests in Resuscitation and Care: Where State, Technology, and Society Must Collaborate

Münster Invests in Resuscitation and Care: How the City Aims to Save Lives and Support People

In April 2026, the city of Münster will discuss on a broad level how it can sustainably strengthen healthcare in the region. Central topics include the improvement of the resuscitation chain in cases of cardiac arrest and the expansion of care services. Politics, technology, and civil society are coming together with the goal of saving lives and supporting people in their care.

Cardiac Arrest: The Chain Must Work Faster and Better

The current survival rate for cardiac arrests in Münster is around 11%. The goal is to double this number in the coming years – an ambitious, but achievable task. For this to happen, several factors must align: rapid first aid, qualified bystanders, sufficient defibrillators, and improved coordination between first responders and emergency services.

A key factor is the time until cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) begins: Experts say that survival chances drop significantly if more than four minutes pass before resuscitation starts. In Münster, it is primarily the commitment of laypeople that saves lives – whether in pubs, on sports fields, or through teachers who can provide resuscitation training.

Technology and First Responder Apps: Münster is Catching Up

In other cities such as Gütersloh or Denmark, first responder apps have already contributed to increased resuscitation rates. Münster is still in the development phase – an app that brings qualified helpers to the accident site faster is planned. The technology is to be integrated into the existing 112 system to make reactions even faster and more precise.

Another focus is the AED register. Although most cardiac arrests occur in private homes, the use of public defibrillators in Münster still needs improvement. Many devices are not maintained, and their use is low. With a central register and a coordination center for resuscitation, Münster wants to address this issue structurally.

Care in Münster: Expanding Capacities and Sensitizing Structures

In addition to emergency care, care plays a central role in health policy. Münster plans to expand inpatient, outpatient, and day-care facilities. The number of care places will be increased to 2,800 by 2029, but the demand is growing faster. Particularly for people with intensive care needs, disabilities, or homelessness, the current level of care is still insufficient.

At the same time, the city is expanding the number of care-sharing households (Pflege-WGs), and new models such as the Pflege-WG in Handorf are intended to help people live in familiar environments. The city also supports the training and further education of care professionals, especially foreign specialists, and promotes networking through platforms such as the "Gut versorgt" app and the "Marktplatz Ambulante Pflege" (Outpatient Care Marketplace).

Inclusive Care: Queer-Friendly Offers and Sensitization

Another important topic is inclusion in care. With an action plan for LSBTIQ* people, Münster aims to strengthen queer-friendly structures. Measures such as queer-friendly care-sharing households, senior meet-up groups, and training for care professionals are already being planned. 75.4% of respondents consider queer-friendly care in old age to be very important – a finding that is being taken up politically and socially.

Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Health Promotion: Looking to the Future

Münster is also investing in prevention and health promotion. The RehaZeit Simeon project offers day care with rehabilitation services, supported by physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and fall prevention. Pilot projects for training care staff and evaluating the services are already underway. In the long term, the city wants to create a healthcare system that not only reacts, but also actively prevents and supports people in their quality of life.

Conclusion: A System That Saves and Supports Lives

Münster shows how a modern city can shape health and care policy: with technological progress, civil society engagement, and political foresight. The challenges are great – staff shortages, missing structures, lack of awareness – but the city is relying on a holistic model that aims to save lives and support people in their care. April 2026 marks an important milestone on this path.

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