February 26, 2025
Swiss Declaration on Patient Priority
Representatives of hospitals, healthcare service providers, insurers and politicians presented the Swiss Declaration on Patient Priority. With this declaration, they commit themselves to advancing the transition from a quantity-based healthcare system to a value-based system, following the Value Based Healthcare model. This represents a major step towards healthcare that puts patients first.
The Swiss Declaration on Patient Priority is a joint initiative of the Swiss Patient Compass think tank and the Swiss association for Value Based Healthcare (VBHC Suisse). Its aim is to promote widespread support for patient-centred medicine and a corresponding healthcare system among the players in the Swiss healthcare system.
This approach should make it possible to tackle the urgent problems facing the healthcare system, such as the constant rise in costs and therefore premiums, the growing prevalence of non-transmissible diseases, the growing needs of patients and the persistent shortage of qualified staff. These problems are well known. But for the first time, high-level representatives from the healthcare sector are pledging to work together for a medicine based on benefits and value that is capable of meeting these challenges.
The Declaration is supported by personalities such as Claudine Blaser, Managing Director Medgate Switzerland, Thomas Boyer(CEO Groupe Mutuel), Rodolphe Eurin (former CEO of Hôpital de La Tour), Thomas Huggler (CEO Universitätsklinik Balgrist), Christoph A. Meier (University of Geneva, Scientific Chairman of VBHC.ch, former CMO of Basel University Hospital), and independent healthcare consultants Daniel Schmutz (former CEO of Helsana) and Irina Volf Reinoso, as well as the Steering Committee of VBHC Switzerland with its Chairman, Florian Rüter.
The official presentation of the Declaration took place yesterday, Tuesday 25 February 2025, before representatives of the healthcare sector in Bern. The event began with a presentation by Stefan Larsson, author of the book "Patient Priority" and an internationally renowned expert in the field of value-based healthcare. The patient perspective was provided by Chantal Britt of the Swiss Patients' Organisation SPO Switzerland.
Christoph A. Meier emphasised the current relevance of value-based medicine: "The orientation of modern medicine towards Value Based Healthcare is decisive for making patient care more efficient, sustainable and quality-oriented, focusing on the greatest possible benefit for patients with optimal use of staff and resources".
Thomas Boyer also sees advantages in value-based medicine compared with today: "For health insurers, it is essential to orientate care towards Value Based Healthcare in order to deal effectively with rising costs, maximise added value for policyholders and create sustainable incentives for high-quality, patient-centred care".
Highlights of the Swiss Declaration on Patient Priority
To make a successful transition to a value-based healthcare model, the Declaration puts the emphasis on actively addressing four specific priority areas:
Patient-centred care and outcome measurements
Putting patients at the centre of healthcare decision-making means actively involving them in the process and orienting care in line with their preferences, needs and values.
Economic sustainability and incentives for value rather than volume
Faced with rising healthcare costs and limited resources, current models of care are being put to the test. Instead of focusing on an increasing number of treatments, the emphasis should be on better outcomes for patients. This approach encourages competition between care providers based not on volume, but on quality.
Data, technology and digital tools
The exchange of information through innovative digital tools and measures is a decisive element of an integrated healthcare system. This is why the networking of payers, service providers and patient organisations needs to be accelerated.
Leadership, regulation and governance
The commitment of the public sector at cantonal and national level is essential for the transition to a value-based care model. Ongoing information for patients and public-private partnerships in healthcare are equally important. These partnerships require the development and implementation of specific regulations.
To find out more
Several dozen representatives of the Swiss healthcare system attended the event organised at the Welle7 workspace in Bern. 11 of them signed the Declaration on the spot. 25 others had already declared their support in advance. A number of other key figures have pledged to reflect on the issue in the coming days.
You will find enclosed information on the full text of the Swiss Declaration on Patient Priority and on the practical organisation of priorities. It is also available at the following URL:
www.vbhc.ch/swiss-declaration-on-patient-priority
You will also find a list of people who have lent their support.