UKE closes fiscal year 2020 on "satisfactory" note

29 July 2021

No loss incurred amid pandemic thanks to support from city and German government

The University Hosipital Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) has closed the fiscal year 2020 with a better than expected result, UKE said Wednesday (July 28). The group generated a net profit of EUR 1.2 million thanks to compensation payments from the City of Hamburg and the German government for financial pressure during the pandemic. The UKE had expected to incur a double-digit million euro deficit for 2020 without the financial aid.

"We are pleased that the 2020 annual result is balanced and that we were able to close the pandemic year without a loss," said Marya Verdel, Commercial Director of UKE. "Quite considerable efforts have been made by all employees at UKE to achieve this, for which I would like to express my gratitude."

Aid from city and German government

Cautious use of resources was key to the result. UKE adapted targeted measures to mitigate the economic situation by EUR 53 million. "The UKE received a total of EUR 87 million in aid from the City of Hamburg and the German government. Another EUR 24 million would have been possible, but we did not apply for it," Verdel said.

Revenue declined due to the costly care of COVID-19 patients, pandemic-related capacity requirements and lower use of other areas amid social distancing and safety restrictions, she added. "The revenue shortfalls, as well as pandemic-related costs, have been offset by aid from the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, and the German government, to the amount of EUR 57 and EUR 30 million respectively."

Fewer patients

The number of patients treated at UKE decreased for the first time in several years. Capacities had to be cut back temporarily and some scheduled operations postponed. A total of 430,112 patients were treated at UKE, of whom 94,970 were inpatients (-3,400) and 335,142 outpatients (-38,000) over 2019.

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Sources and further information

www.uke.de/zahlen+fakten

University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE)

Founded in 1889, the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) is among Europe's cutting-edge hospitals. Around 14,000 employees makes it one of Hamburg's largest employers. Every year, the UKE treats around 430,000 patients, 95,000 of them as inpatients and 335,000 as outpatients. Research at UKE focuses on neuroscience, cardiovascular conditions, health services, oncology as well as infections and inflammations. The UKE trains around 3,400 doctors, dentists and midwives.