Although a branch of the youth psychiatry service only opened in Wiltz in March, discussions are already under way over whether parts of it could move to Wincrange. The service is run by the North Hospital Centre (CHdN), which is responsible for youth psychiatric care in northern Luxembourg and is now looking for suitable long-term premises.
The current building in Wiltz is not equipped for people with reduced mobility, and while the service can remain there for around another five years, there appears to be no suitable alternative site in Wiltz for now.
Since March, a youth psychiatry day hospital has been operating from the former presbytery on Rue Grande-Duchesse Charlotte in Wiltz. According to the CHdN, it was clear from the outset that the service would eventually have to move again, but it was launched as quickly as possible because there was an urgent need for it in northern Luxembourg.
That demand is reflected in occupancy levels, with eight to 10 of the 15 available places regularly in use, the ChdN stated. The service is due to be expanded further in future, although it remains unclear whether that expansion will take place in Wiltz.
A Facebook post published on 19 August refers to a new project in Wincrange. Mayor Lucien Meyers confirmed to RTL that youth psychiatry services are expected to be offered in a new medical centre due to open in early 2029 next to the existing facility.
CHdN general medical coordinator Dr Laurent Kintzelé was somewhat more cautious, although it appears clear that such a service will be established in Wincrange. He stressed that this would not mean abandoning Wiltz:
"What we can say is that we are very pleased this service is now in place. If it continues to be well received, we can certainly imagine strengthening the offer further in the north, and Wiltz will undoubtedly continue to play a central role."
Behind the scenes, however, there are indications that only a smaller basic service may remain in Wiltz. That still leaves the question of where it would be based.
RTL asked mayor Patrick Comes of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) whether Wiltz municipal authorities had offered the CHdN any alternative sites, but he declined to comment.
He was similarly reluctant to discuss the issue during Friday's municipal council meeting. Asked about the matter by Carole Weigel, spokesperson for the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) on the Wiltz municipal council, he replied:
"It is not for the mayoral council to discuss the CHdN's projects in a public council meeting."
The mayor instead preferred to discuss the Schlasskéier project, although that project has nothing to do with youth psychiatry. Dr Kintzelé made clear that no space for such a service is planned there.
The LSAP, which currently holds the mayoralty in Wiltz, published a statement on its Facebook page on Sunday. Among other points, the party stressed that Wincrange should not replace Wiltz, but should instead be seen as a "CHdN satellite unit".
