Session 3

Hospitals of the future

Investing in transformation to meet tomorrow’s needs

Organised by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection in cooperation with the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies

Hospitals across Europe are transforming in response to ageing populations, rising chronic diseases, and demands for integrated, person-centred care. With workforce shortages and constrained budgets, there is a shift from hospital-centric models of care to more preventive, outpatient, and home-based care. Hospitals increasingly focus on acute and complex cases, supported by digital innovation and infrastructure. While service consolidation and hospital specialisation are sometimes perceived as threats to local identity and access, it is all the more important to stress the opportunity to strengthen equity, accessibility, and public trust. Too often, discussions on hospital reforms focus on the implications for service delivery and infrastructure, and what hospitals should move away from. This session invites a shift in perspective toward a future where hospitals not only deliver high-quality care but also reinforce the social contract by ensuring accessibility, supporting populations at risk, and embracing innovation. Rather than asking what hospitals should no longer do, we challenge participants to envision what they can and should evolve into, reinforcing their role as essential pillars of a resilient healthcare system.

Speakers to be announced