University Hospital Leipzig: strong result despite financial challenges!

University Hospital Leipzig: strong result despite financial challenges!

The University Hospital Leipzig (UKL) reports a successful annual financial statements for 2024 with an excess of 8.8 million euros. This positive balance is particularly due to the good development in the inpatient and outpatient services, as well as once effects from the budget negotiations with the health insurance companies. An almost balanced result was achieved in the previous year, but in 2024 the first year was without additional burdens from the SARS-COV-2 pandemic [Ärzteblatt] (https://www.aerzteblatt.de/news/Universitatsklinikum-leipzig-mit-positive-year-final 71f0208B-C2F5-4BCC-877779AAAF0) reported.

A decisive factor for the surplus was the increase in the state subsidy of the Free State of Saxony for the Medical Faculty. Nevertheless, the overall financial situation remains challenging, since the operating costs continue to increase and significant investments are necessary. For example, sales from hospital operations rose by 12.7 percent to 640 million euros, while the total revenge amounted to 714 million euros.

rising personnel and operating costs

Personnel costs exceeded the 400 million euro brand 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 as well as in the nursing and functional service, which led to relief and an increase in performance in the second half of the year. Despite a high number of disease failures in the first half of the year, the number of patients increased: inside both in the inpatient and outpatient area; Outpatient operations increased by 14 percent, even if these interventions do not experience any cost -covering financing.

In addition, the UKL supported two tariffs for medical and non-medical employees in order to secure employee satisfaction. In addition, the first construction phase of the central emergency room was successfully completed. In the area of ​​lung transplants, cooperation with the Heart Center Leipzig was established, and the conversion of the clinical workplace system to M-KIS for digitization of the processes is in full swing.

research and teaching

The medical faculty can also look forward to two ERC grants in 2024, which were awarded for outstanding scientific achievements. The number of third -party funded personnel positions rose from 880 in 2023 to 912 in 2024, with income from third -party funds that have grown from around 64 million euros to around 68 million euros. The number of students also achieved an increase from 3,639 in 2023 to 3,678 in 2024, whereby students of human medicine and pharmacy achieved top marks in their exams.

Another important project is the construction of the clinical center "Leipzig Center of Metabolism" (Leicem), which begins in January 2026. The establishment of an Institute for Midwifery Science and the appointment of a professorship for midwifery are further steps to strengthen the research and training landscape at the Medical Faculty. Cooperation with the Saxon Ministry of Science is regarded as the basis for these successes, which the UKL puts in a good position for the future, as the University Hospital Leipzig notes.

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