Future challenges for hospitals transcend national borders. Therefore, the five Nordic university hospitals—Karolinska in Stockholm, Oslo University Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, Landspitali in Reykjavik, and Rigshospitalet—have decided to form an alliance named the Nordic University Hospital Alliance.
Chairman of the Capital Region of Denmark, Lars Gaardhøj (S), describes the alliance as a milestone:
"Today marks a significant milestone in the efforts to strengthen collaboration between the largest Nordic university hospitals. Together, we strive to ensure that every patient, regardless of the rarity or complexity of their illness, receives the highest standard of treatment and care, and we are one step closer to that goal today," says Lars Gaardhøj (S).
Rigshospitalet's Director, Rasmus Møgelvang, is also enthusiastic about the new Nordic alliance and its prospects for enhancing patient care and staff competencies across borders:
"There is an increasing need for knowledge sharing across the Nordic region to benefit patients with rare diseases. A Nordic collaboration ensures that we in Denmark can offer our patients treatment of high international standards, and that our healthcare experts can continue to strengthen their competencies in the rare treatments we provide in Denmark."
Stronger Together Against Future Challenges
Patrik Rossi, Acting CEO of Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, sees the hospital alliance as a great asset for member countries to stand stronger against future challenges:
"Through sharing best practices and resources, the hospitals will improve treatment outcomes and efficiency in healthcare. The alliance will also actively engage in national, Nordic, and EU policies that impact health, research, and innovation. The goal is to contribute to policies that promote progress and sustainability in healthcare systems," says Patrick Rossi, adding that the hope is that more university hospitals will join the alliance in the future.
Together, the Nordic countries have a population of nearly 30 million, all treated by healthcare systems with many similarities across borders. This creates a great opportunity for benchmarking and mutual exchange of ideas, ways to deliver care, and collaboration in research, explains Bjørn Atle Lein Bjørnbeth, CEO of Oslo University Hospital in Norway:
"With the alliance, we can improve collaboration on managing and using health data across the Nordic countries for research and clinical purposes, and there is an opportunity to strengthen innovation and cooperation with the healthcare industry. Therefore, the alliance is not only beneficial for our patients but also a significant advantage across sectors in our countries."
Rigshospitalet's Director, Rasmus Møgelvang, also sees the alliance as a major advantage across many sectors:
"The fact that the Nordic hospitals are now coming even closer together will benefit our patients, employees, and the overall Danish healthcare system. Rigshospitalet's desire to benefit the entire Danish healthcare system will be easier to realize with this cooperation, which is essential for attracting larger global commercial enterprises, international educational organizations, and funds to invest in Denmark," says Rasmus Møgelvang.
One of the major challenges is the shortage of nurses, and here the Director of Landspitali National University Hospital, Runolfur Palsson, believes the alliance will be a great asset:
"We will all be looking for new ways to improve clinical care, including reorganizing services, increasing focus on patient-centered care, standardizing workflows and clinical pathways, and digital transformation. Here it will be an advantage to be able to work together on the best solutions," says Runolfur Palsson.
About the Nordic University Hospital Alliance
The Nordic University Hospital Alliance is established to strengthen the ties between the participating hospitals and collectively address the major health challenges of our time. The alliance's mission is to add value to patients and the overall healthcare system, address major health challenges, strengthen research collaboration, and promote Nordic health solutions and diplomacy.
The alliance consists of the five Nordic university hospitals in the capitals
- Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen
- Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm
- Oslo University Hospital, Oslo
- Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki
- Landspitali – University Hospital, Reykjavik
Background
The Nordic countries are known for world-leading and efficient public healthcare system that ensures equal access to high-quality healthcare services. The Nordic healthcare system has the ability to develop and implement innovative solutions for the benefit of patients and is characterized by well-developed collaboration between public and private players. Biomedical research in the Nordic countries is top class with world leading data, epidemiology, and personalized medicine.
The Nordic countries have a robust life science industry that contributes to the Nordic region with high employment, productivity, and exports. The healthcare industry includes various types of companies within pharmaceuticals, biotech, medical devices, healthcare technology, digital solutions and infrastructure. All the strengths within the health ecosystem of the Nordic countries puts these countries in a strong position to offer positive solutions and perspectives on international health challenges.
Mission
The Nordic University Hospital Alliance (NUHA) is established to strengthen the ties between the members and in collaboration address the major health challenges.
Vision
- To add value to patients and the overall healthcare system
- To address the major health challenges of our time
- To strengthen research collaboration
- To promote Nordic health solutions and diplomacy