Swiss hospitals face tense situation, says association director

Anne-Geneviève Bütikofer (right), the director of the Swiss Hospital Association H+. Keystone-SDA

The situation in Swiss medical institutions remains “extremely tense”, with more patients, fewer staff, and tight finances, according to the head of the national umbrella organisation of Swiss hospitals H+.

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“On top of this, there are growing administrative burdens, which are often not funded, and which take up medical and nursing time to the detriment of patients,” Anne-Geneviève Bütikofer said in an interview published on Saturday by Le Temps.

“I wouldn’t say [hospitals] are ‘in intensive care’, but rather under ‘close observation’,” she added.

Bütikofer said that political pressure linked to rising costs has led to underfunding of 25% in outpatient care and 10% in inpatient care. “This means that current rates cover only 75% of the services provided. Hospitals have to make up for this shortfall from their reserves or profits.”

Unsustainable organisation

According to a study commissioned by H+, published in November 2025, the Swiss hospital landscape is not organised in a sustainable way: demand for healthcare services is increasing, the shortage of qualified staff is increasingly acute, and tariffs do not cover costs. The study called for better coordination and collaboration between hospitals, boosted outpatient care, and faster digitalisation.

The transformation within the overall hospital organisation “is already underway”, Bütikofer told Le Temps. “This can be clearly seen in hospitals that cooperate or operate in graduated and coordinated networks.” Healthcare professionals work together to determine which services should be provided where, and with what level of experience and quality, she explained, emphasising that certain highly specialised activities cannot be maintained everywhere if hospitals want to “guarantee safety and excellence”.

To prevent the system from deteriorating, Bütikofer outlined three priorities: “guaranteeing access to and quality of care, relieving staff and bringing funding closer to the reality of costs”.

However, she added, the issue of rising costs is key. “Unlike in other sectors, medical fees are not automatically adjusted for inflation. Salaries and material costs are increasing, but revenues remain unchanged, creating a structural imbalance.”

Adapted from French by AI/dos

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