A visible sign of this are the so-called Advanced Practice Nurses. These specially trained nursing experts independently take on challenging tasks in patient care and incorporate scientific findings directly into everyday clinical practice. Their aim is to better coordinate treatments, close gaps in care and sustainably improve patients' quality of life. This is particularly evident in cancer medicine. Here, the nursing experts support people during chemotherapy with comprehensive counselling services. They not only consider individual symptoms, but also the entire life situation of those affected. From nutrition and exercise to preparation for the time after hospitalisation, this results in care that combines medical quality and personal support. For Leipzig University Hospital, this approach is part of a long-term strategy. Over the past five years, the nursing team has grown by around 30 per cent to more than 2,800 employees despite the nationwide shortage of skilled staff. At the same time, new positions have been created for academically trained nursing staff. The next step is already planned. In the coming months, the first nursing consultation hours will be set up at the UKL Cancer Centre. It is an example of a change that extends far beyond Leipzig. Nursing is increasingly becoming an independent, scientific discipline and therefore a decisive factor for the quality of modern healthcare.
Press release by "Universitätsklinikum Leipzig" dated 12 May 2026