On August 21, 2025, Manfred Lucha, Minister for Social Affairs, Health and Integration in Baden-Württemberg, visited the vocational school for nursing at RKH Kliniken Ludwigsburg-Bietigheim in Kornwestheim's Salamanderareal during his summer tour. With 400 training places, it is one of the largest nursing schools in Baden-Württemberg and is a key element in securing healthcare provision in the region. District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier and Axel Hechenberger, Commercial Director of RKH Gesundheit, discussed the future of healthcare and nursing training in the Ludwigsburg district with Minister Lucha. In particular, they discussed investments in the modernization of hospitals and the further development of nursing staff training.
"On a positive note, it should be emphasized that despite the increasing need for well-trained nursing staff, the number of people starting generalist nursing training has also increased in the last two years. The fact that this has been achieved is due to the good work and commitment of nursing schools, facilities and the players involved. I would like to expressly thank you for this and assure you that we are working with all stakeholders to ensure that this trend can continue in the future," said Minister Manfred Lucha during his visit to the nursing school.
"We are facing major challenges such as a shortage of specialists, underfunding and an investment backlog and want to lead healthcare in the Ludwigsburg district into the future together with the state. Our goals are excellent medical care, a future-proof hospital network and modern, practical training and further education that inspires the next generation and experienced specialists and keeps them in the region. We can achieve this goal by joining forces - but to do so, we need the financial and strategic support of the state," emphasized District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier.
Commercial Director Axel Hechenberger made it clear that the nursing school is at the heart of the training of future nursing staff and therefore of healthcare provision in the district. "Training to become a nurse is part of a tradition that is deeply meaningful. People are accompanied in the vulnerable moments of their lives. At a time when our society is becoming older and more vulnerable and the need for professional care is increasing, it is important that politics, society and training institutions work hand in hand to support this work. This is why we have created a modern and attractive place for training and meeting with the nursing school in Kornwestheim, which offers future nursing staff the best possible conditions."
Principal Ursula Palmer presented Minister Lucha with the nursing school's educational concept, the regional network with many healthcare and educational institutions and current challenges. "Our key to success lies in our successful network, the quality of our training and the further training of our teaching staff. Our low drop-out rate of just 7 percent compared to an average of 25 percent confirms our success with trainees."
During a tour, visitors were given an insight into the modern skills lab with patient simulators for realistic learning and nursing practice rooms for pediatric, long-term care, acute and outpatient care situations.
