Letter from the manager

In 2025, we once again met the annual activity and quality of care commitments established by the Catalan Health Service. We increased the number of major surgical procedures, hospital discharges and outpatient appointments. At the same time, we reduced the average length of stay for conventional hospital admissions, as well as readmission and in-hospital mortality rates.

These consistently positive results over recent years reflect the consolidated excellence of our institution—we have now reached 50 national Centres, Services and Reference Units (CSURs) for adults and children—and improved efficiency in the use of our resources, as demonstrated by the financial results achieved across successive budget cycles.

However, 2025 has not been just another year. The Hospital celebrated its 70th anniversary while also reaching the conclusion of the 2021–2025 Strategic Plan. This Plan has achieved a high level of implementation across its nine strategic lines of action. Many important milestones have been reached over these five years, although I would particularly like to highlight three areas in which we have made significant progress.

Firstly, the new model of healthcare organisation and clinical management, based on knowledge areas and levels of care intensity, has been successfully implemented across our inpatient wards. This model places patients' needs at the centre of care while recognising the contribution of healthcare professionals and promoting research, professional development pathways, multidisciplinary working, public participation and collaboration across the healthcare network.

Secondly, the Hospital has made significant progress in technological innovation, both through the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical equipment and advances in digitalisation and data architecture, as well as through major infrastructure refurbishment projects. Many of these investments have been made possible through innovative public procurement initiatives and European funding, while others have resulted from partnerships with organisations from civil society.

Thirdly, we have given decisive momentum to the New Vall d'Hebron project. The heliport and the VHIR Central Building are now a reality, paving the way for the construction of the new La Teixonera Outpatient Care Building, which will become a benchmark for care models focused on addressing the population's most significant health challenges.

We are now looking ahead with the development of a new Strategic Plan for the 2026–2030 period. This Plan will guide us in addressing the key challenges facing our healthcare system, including the implementation of sustainability policies, personalised medicine, a robust, secure and effective data strategy, and value-based healthcare and procurement models focused on health outcomes.

The Plan will also guide the continued improvement of our existing facilities, the acquisition of cutting-edge technology and the next milestones of the New Vall d'Hebron project, including the FULL buildings (Pharmacy, Emergency Department, Genetics Laboratory and Logistics) and Hi-Magic, a new Comprehensive Paediatric Surgical Care Centre that will redefine the care and treatment of children with complex surgical needs.

The key activity figures and major achievements of 2025 reflect the outstanding and essential work carried out by the institution's almost 10,000 professionals. Through their excellence and commitment, they continue to position Vall d'Hebron, year after year, as a leading healthcare institution recognised both nationally and internationally.

Albert Salazar

Vall d'Hebron University Hospital Manager