MSZ study 2024
How did hospitals perform financially in 2023? How has the financial health of the sector evolved since 2019? What challenges exist at the regional level to keep hospital care accessible?
To answer these questions, we examined the financial situation of hospitals and the accessibility of hospital care at the ROAZ (Regional Acute Care Network) level. The findings of this research are presented in our latest independent study:
Our study reveals the following:
1. Many hospitals are in poor financial condition:
- Although profit margins have remained stable on average, EBITDA margins have declined.
- Investments are lagging behind, and hospitals have limited creditworthiness for necessary renovations or new construction.
2. All ROAZ regions face significant challenges in ensuring access to care:
- Staff shortages for critical care functions exist in nearly all regions, with specific bottlenecks varying by region.
- Acute care coverage is under the greatest pressure in the North, Brabant, and Southwest due to hospitals being highly sensitive to the 45-minute ambulance response time standard.
- The financial health of hospitals is a serious issue in the North and Southwest.
Ensuring access to hospital care in the future requires an integrated transformation Transitioning to sustainable hospital care demands collaboration among all stakeholders in a region: hospitals, chain partners, health insurers, and the government. The perspective of residents and patients is crucial for a successful transformation.
Want to know more? You can read the full study in Dutch