Nursing specialist transforms care for chronically ill patients in Birenbach
A nursing specialist has joined the Schalhorn family practice in Birenbach to support chronically ill patients. The move is part of a wider effort to ease pressure on GPs by bringing trained nurses into their teams. Patients have already responded positively to the extra care on offer.
The nursing specialist now works 30 hours a week at the Schalhorn practice. Their role includes home visits, nursing home check-ups, wound care, and managing medications. They also help coordinate medical aids for around 120 patients, many of whom are in disease management programmes.
Unlike traditional patient care assistants, this professional holds independent nursing qualifications, such as geriatric care expertise. Dr. Friederike Kugler, the practice's GP, has welcomed the support, noting that the specialist runs their own consultation hours. This frees her to focus on other medical tasks while expanding the services available to patients.
The change comes under the Prima project, which tests new care models in Baden-Württemberg. By mid-2027, it aims to fund nursing professionals in 20 GP practices across the region. The project provides training, workshops, and networking to help integrate these roles smoothly. Its goal is to scientifically assess how nursing support can improve care amid rising patient numbers and limited medical resources.
The nursing specialist's arrival has already lightened the workload at the Schalhorn practice. Patients benefit from more personalised care, while the team gains extra capacity. If successful, the model could be expanded to more practices in the coming years.
