Established in 1949 the Roland-Klinik began as a private hospital with 60 beds. It was founded by Dr Kurt Kucklick a former chief physician at Sebaldsbrück Hospital. The clinic was located on the grounds of a former military barracks near Bremen’s Kleine Weser and Werdersee. Its initial capacity quickly expanded to 80 beds. In 1956 the clinic transitioned from a limited partnership to a limited liability company. Doctors Bauer and Kirchhoff along with Mr Wehrmann took over existing contracts continuing to run it as a private practice hospital.
The Roland-Klinik underwent significant changes throughout its history. In 1962 it came under private ownership. Substantial investments were made in building renovations and expansions. The Roland-Klinik’s acquisition of non-profit status in 1971 changed its legal structure to a non-profit limited liability company. In 1972 the state of Bremen officially included the Roland-Klinik in its hospital planning. The clinic terminated its contracts with private practitioners. It chose to specialize in three areas: surgery hand surgery and orthopedics.
By 1988 the expansion of the orthopedics department had increased the number of beds to 200. To ensure comprehensive internal medical care the Roland-Klinik expanded its cooperation agreement with the Zentralkrankenhaus Links der Weser in 1992. A major renovation of the old building preceded the opening of an additional operating room in 1993. In 1996 the Roland-Klinik established an intermediate care unit a ward between normal and intensive care. This allowed for more comprehensive post-operative monitoring of patients. Over 100 parking spaces were added to the clinic grounds in 2002.
Further expansion occurred in 2003 with the opening of the Clinic for Orthopedics II. This focused on shoulder surgery arthroscopy minimally invasive procedures and sports traumatology. The Spine Center opened in 2005. Urology was discontinued that same year. The Roland-Klinik was also awarded the contract for hand surgery services in Bremen in 2005. This solidified its focus on treating musculoskeletal conditions positioning it as a center of expertise. Four new operating theaters opened in 2006. That year the Roland-Klinik received certification from the KTQ (Cooperation for Transparency and Quality Management in Hospitals). The certification was renewed in 2009 and 2011. An outpatient center opened in 2007.
In 2010 a new building was added next to the existing facility near the Werdersee. The “activo” medical movement center houses the clinic’s physiotherapy center medical practices and seminar rooms. The “vento” cafe opened there in 2011. The new building was designed and constructed as a passive house meaning it is energy-efficient. The Roland-Klinik remains a founding member of the Cooperative Community of Independent Clinics in Bremen since 2005. Currently the Roland-Klinik has approximately 160 beds. It treats around 25000 patients annually. It employs about 242 people the equivalent of 193 full-time positions.