Generational handover completed at a GP practice in Bocholt

Lisa Knuf, from the Social Planning, Neighbourhood Development and Integration Unit, Sarah Underberg, network manager of the BOHRIS e.V. doctors' network, and Deputy Mayor Björn Volmering visited the general practice of Dr Vriesen and Dr Tempel on Tuesday.

The occasion for the event was the official handover of the practice by its long-standing owner, Dr Wilhelm Vriesen, to the next generation of doctors. The town of Bocholt had provided financial and organisational support for this transition process as part of its local structural development programme.

Dr Wilhelm Vriesen, who founded the practice in 1993 and had the premises completely refurbished in the summer of 2022, officially handed over management on Tuesday to his son, Dr Stefan Vriesen, and his new practice partner, Dr Simon Tempel. Following four and a half years of father and son practising together, the handover of the practice's management is now complete.

The focus of the handover was on getting to know the new partner, Dr Simon Tempel, who will officially join the group practice from 1 July 2026. The doctor, a former fellow student of Dr Stefan Vriesen, has been living in Bocholt with his family for a year and has been completing his specialist training in general practice here since July 2025.

"Ensuring access to GP care within the urban area is a key part of the local authority's public service obligations", explains Councillor Volmering. "We are therefore delighted with the excellent cooperation with the practice owners and the BOHRIS doctors' network, as well as with the successful generational handover." The town of Bocholt had supported the change of personnel at the group practice as part of its municipal structural support programme.