The cancer packages were introduced and at the same time Riigshospitalet was allocated significant funds to strengthen the capacity developments required in order to offer the best cancer treatment. Some of the funds have financed the hiring of a number of process coordinators whose responsibilities will be to ensure that evaluation and treatment courses are coordinated in the best possible way - not least in relation to the transition between different types of treatment. Cancer is a disease with a strong influence on the life of patients and therefore our work and treatment must be of the highest quality. At Rigshospitalet 2008 was influenced by the work on future allocation of specialist areas. In future, Rigshospitalet must accommodate the most complicated specialist areas. This will significantly influence the future of Rigshospitalet with regard to research, education/training and particularly treatment of patients. Our ongoing work on enhancing research activities was further intensified in 2008, for instance with the inauguration of a new biobank. At Rigshospitalet research must be carried out under first-rate conditions - now and in future. With the future allocation of specialist areas and continued focus on research, we must position ourselves on the international scene, and always provide the best for our patients. Thus in 2008 we published the results of the study “Patient Room of the Future ” which showed that we must ensure our patients’ privacy, maintain discretion and comply with the duty of confidentiality when we design our hospitals, especially in relation to patient areas. Also, in addition to medical expertise, patients need aesthetic surroundings - natural light, air, nature, music, art and possibilities to communicate as well as creative and physical activities. Therefore we take great pride in also being able to offer our patients a green and inviting garden, a newly renovated and beautiful chapel, an inspiring and well stocked library and changing art exhibitions, concerts and music. We have also intensified our efforts to offer cancer patients and other patient groups rehabilitation. These efforts include several types of different teaching offers for patients and relatives, and the project “Body & Cancer” (Krop & Kræft) which is a permanent offer to e.g. cancer patients who can achieve greater wellbeing and higher quality of life by strengthening their bodies during the course of their treatment. In 2008, we began to realise the Hospital Plan of the Capital Region of Denmark, and accordingly a number of centres and clinics/departments underwent specific changes. In the same year it was decided to expand Rigshospitalet - with support from the Capital Region of Denmark and the Danish Government. The decision paves the way for a more modern and inclusive hospital with regard to both professionalism and aesthetics. Rigshospitalet’s mission is to be Denmark's leading hospital for patients with a need for highly specialised treatment. In order for Rigshospitalet to fulfil this mission, the framework must be in order. We must be able to offer the best treatment and provide the best framework for it. Patients must be given the best possible experience during their courses of therapy. There were also changes in the board of management in 2008/09. Jørgen Jørgensen, who has been hospital director for 14 years, resigned in March 2009 and with that Rigshospitalet’s management began a new era. With these changes we say goodbye to the old and say hello to the new. The many efforts and initiatives we started or finished in 2008 have led us forward and set their mark on 2009. This means that in future we want Rigshospitalet to distinguish itself internationally and that we will strengthen communication internally and externally.