Bresternica residents oppose planned hospice house location

Residents of Bresternica near Maribor have expressed opposition to the planned location of a new hospice house, despite supporting the project's overall goal. While a dementia center is nearing implementation in a former school building, the proposed hospice house on adjacent undeveloped land has faced criticism regarding its size and proximity to a residential area. Local community leaders noted that while the project is welcomed, the specific site is deemed unsuitable for such a large facility within a sleeping district.

Human Rights Ombudsman Simona Drenik Bavdek addressed the concerns, emphasizing that hospice care is a matter of community and human dignity rather than something to be relegated to the margins of society. She noted that Slovenia currently operates only one stationary hospice house, whereas experts suggest at least six are needed to provide accessible palliative care nationwide. Drenik Bavdek acknowledged local concerns regarding traffic, building scale, and green spaces, calling for transparent procedures and meaningful public participation in the planning process.