Leipzig University Hospital: Strong results despite financial challenges!

Leipzig University Hospital: Strong results despite financial challenges!

The Leipzig University Hospital (UKL) reports successful annual financial statements for 2024 with a surplus of 8.8 million euros. This positive balance is due in particular to the good development in inpatient and outpatient services, as well as to one-off effects from the budget negotiations with the health insurance companies. An almost balanced result was achieved in the previous year, but 2024 was the first year without additional burdens due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, as Ärzteblatt reports.

A decisive factor for the surplus was the increase in the state subsidy from the Free State of Saxony for the medical faculty. However, the overall financial situation remains challenging as operating costs continue to rise and significant investments are necessary. Sales revenue from hospital operations rose by 12.7 percent to 640 million euros, while total revenue amounted to 714 million euros.

Rising personnel and operating costs

Personnel costs exceeded the 400 million euro mark for the first time, which corresponds to an increase of 24.3 million euros compared to the previous year. This development is primarily the result of the hiring of additional employees in the medical, nursing and functional services, which led to a relief and an increase in performance in the second half of the year. Despite a high number of illness absences in the first half of the year, the number of patients increased in both inpatient and outpatient areas; Outpatient operations increased by 14 percent, even if these procedures did not receive cost-covering financing.

In addition, the UKL supported two collective agreements for medical and non-medical employees to ensure employee satisfaction. In addition, the first construction phase of the central emergency room was successfully completed. In the area of ​​lung transplants, a cooperation with the Leipzig Heart Center has been established, and the conversion of the clinical workstation system to M-KIS to digitalize the processes is in full swing.

Research and teaching

The Faculty of Medicine can also look forward to two ERC grants in 2024, which were awarded for outstanding scientific achievements. The number of third-party funded staff positions increased from 880 in 2023 to 912 in 2024, with income from third-party funds growing from around 64 million euros to around 68 million euros. The number of students also increased from 3,639 in 2023 to 3,678 in 2024, with students of human medicine and pharmacy achieving top marks in their exams.

Another important project is the establishment of the clinical center “Leipzig Center of Metabolism” (LeiCeM), which will begin in January 2026. The establishment of an institute for midwifery science and the appointment of a professorship for midwifery are further steps towards strengthening the research and training landscape at the Medical Faculty. The collaboration with the Saxon Ministry of Science is seen as the basis for these successes, which puts the UKL in a good position for the future, as the [University Hospital Leipzig](https://www.uniklinikum-leipzig.de/presse/Seiten/PRESS release_8077.aspx) notes.

Despite the positive developments, the financing situation remains challenging, particularly with regard to IT, construction and medical technology. A permanent correction of the financial imbalance in university medicine is therefore necessary.