Letter from the Manager

2024 has been a year in which we have been able to focus our efforts on fulfilling the programme contract agreed with CatSalut, ensuring budgetary balance and continuing to implement the value-based care model to improve health outcomes.

We have increased surgical activity, exceeding the threshold of 37,000 major surgeries, hospital discharges and outpatient visits. At the same time, we have reduced the average length of stay for hospitalised patients, maintaining the readmission rate, and we have made good adjustments to the medical criteria for urgent admission.

In addition, we have made efficient use of local resources and alternatives to conventional admission, such as home hospitalisation for adults, paediatrics and neonates. As a result of this joint effort, surgical and diagnostic test waiting lists have met the established guarantee deadlines.

In 2024, we have also continued to work to be socially responsible and to care for the health and well-being not only of our patients but also of our professionals. Many of these professionals have been able to consolidate their contractual situation within the framework of the stabilisation process called for by the ICS.

Day-to-day management must be combined with the promotion of strategic projects. Thus, we have continued to expand the facilities at Nuevo Vall d'Hebron with the inauguration of the VHIR Central Building, we have completed the first phase of the comprehensive renovation project for the Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology and Haematology Area, we have opened the new Heart Area and we have renovated the Paediatric Specialities Area, among other things. The City Council has also approved the urban planning to build the new outpatient building on the other side of the Ronda de Dalt.

In the field of technological, digital and infrastructure transformation, we have promoted the organisation of data and analytical systems, made progress in the development of technological solutions based on big data and artificial intelligence, and consolidated cybersecurity and data protection policies and infrastructures.

We have also made a firm commitment to promoting Mi Vall d'Hebron as a multi-channel platform for communication with patients. And as befits a highly complex tertiary hospital such as Vall d'Hebron, we have continued to renovate and acquire new electromedical equipment and cutting-edge technology, while continuing to carry out improvement works in different healthcare areas.

Other notable achievements include the creation of new clinical services and the consolidation of services extended to other hospitals in the region, the attainment of 98.3% of the standards in the Department of Health accreditation process, the passing of CSUR evaluations, and the Hospital's prominent position in national and international rankings.

Finally, I would like to mention that we have continued to promote person-centred care and our own model of citizen participation and shared decision-making, where the experience of our patients plays a key role.

With this summary of the main activity data and milestones that have marked 2024, we highlight the valuable work carried out by the nearly ten thousand professionals at the institution who, with excellence and commitment, strengthen and position Vall d'Hebron as a leading centre and a national and international benchmark.

Albert Salazar

Manager of Vall d'Hebron University Hospital