The inspection was shocked to discover a doctor's office of horror - dirty needles, malfunctioning appliances... And only the doctor

Authorities in Vienna shut down a medical practice in the Favoriten district after inspectors discovered severe violations during a joint raid on Tuesday. The operation, led by the city’s Emergency Response Group, ended the activities of a man who had been practicing medicine illegally for a decade. Officials described the conditions inside the clinic as shocking, citing dirty needles, expired medications, and dangerous electrical hazards that posed immediate risks to patients. The inspection team included representatives from the municipal health department, social services, police, the Vienna Medical Chamber, and the Society for Quality Assurance in Medicine. All parties present were reportedly shocked by the scale of the irregularities found within the premises located in the 10th district. Investigators determined that the individual operating the clinic had lost his license to practice ten years prior. Despite this ban, he continued to offer procedures ranging from Botox injections to circumcisions. Records indicated that the man performed some treatments under a false identity. He allegedly used the official stamp of another physician who worked in the same facility. Authorities also uncovered evidence of illegal employment practices, noting that staff members were hired off the books. Furthermore, it was established that the practitioner was receiving Vienna’s guaranteed minimum social benefit without justification. Health and safety inspections revealed critical dangers to patient well-being. Inspectors found dirty syringes and needles left in the rooms. They identified medicines that had passed their expiration dates or were stored improperly. Some preparations found on site are banned throughout the European Union. A particularly disturbing discovery involved certain drugs kept in a rolling cabinet situated in the middle of the waiting area. These items were accessible to anyone for self-administration without supervision or control. While general hygiene standards were catastrophic, officials noted these issues were secondary to the direct physical threats present in the space. Medical equipment, including electrocardiogram devices, lacked required certificates and proof of functionality. Emergency response equipment was completely absent from the facility. Given the state of the clinic, authorities noted that emergency situations could have arisen even before a procedure began. Improvised wiring installations, exposed cables, and sockets hanging from walls presented an immediate hazard to anyone entering the room. Following the inspection, a series of criminal complaints were filed against the operator. Charges include serious fraud and multiple violations of the Medical Practitioners Act. The entire practice was officially sealed by order of the municipality. Locks on the entrance doors were changed immediately to prevent access. Walter Hillerer, head of the Vienna Emergency Response Group, emphasized the importance of public trust in healthcare providers. He stated that doctors make an indispensable contribution to society because they handle human health, which is considered the most valuable asset. When individuals seek medical help, they must be able to rely on being in safe hands. This trust forms the foundation of the healthcare system and must never be abused. Police investigations continue regarding the suspected heavy fraud. The authorities confirmed that the closure was effective immediately upon the completion of the inspection. The sealing of the premises ensures that no further unauthorized medical activities can take place at that location. The findings highlight the extent of the regulatory breaches over the previous decade. The combination of legal, financial, and health-related offenses resulted in the comprehensive shutdown of the facility. No further details regarding specific patient cases were released during the initial reporting of the incident. The focus remained on the structural and procedural failures identified by the multi-agency task force.