Transforming hospitals for resilient, people-centred health systems
24 September 2025
| Journal article
Overview
Hospitals across Europe are undergoing transformation to meet shifting demographics, the growing burden of chronic diseases, and rising public expectations for integrated, people-centred care. Once standalone institutions, they are now key components of coordinated health networks that support equity, resilience, and community-based services. This article highlights policy priorities and key levers of change such as digital innovation, governance reform and decentralised care delivery. It outlines strategic directions for hospitals to serve not just as centres of excellence, but as proactive partners in health system transformation, focused on improving access, outcomes, and public trust.
WHO Team
European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies
Editors
Juliane Winkelmann, Dimitra Panteli, Stefan Eichwalder, Pia Kreutzer, Romana Höltschl and Nigel Edwards
Copyright
CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO