Hospital federation defends healthcare system quality but calls for urgent modernisation

In recent weeks, the future of Luxembourg's healthcare system has been the subject of intense debate. The discussion was triggered after the Association of Doctors and Dentists (AMMD) terminated its agreements with the National Health Fund (CNS) and demanded full tariff autonomy for medical professionals. Concerns were further fuelled by news of the planned Findel Clinic, a project involving private investors. Trade unions and several opposition parties warned that such developments could pave the way for a two-tier healthcare system.

The Luxembourg Hospital Federation (FHL) has now spoken publicly on the matter, presenting its position to the press.

Strengths and weaknesses

Overall, the FHL expressed confidence in the quality of healthcare in the Grand Duchy, emphasising that few systems worldwide achieve comparable performance. At the same time, FHL President Marc Berna, who is also CEO of the Robert Schuman Hospitals, acknowledged that the system needs to be modernised and adapted to evolving demographic realities. He noted that the healthcare system, like others around the world, is under increasing pressure and must continue evolving if it is to maintain the high standards built over past decades.

One example of this pressure is seen in waiting times for MRI scans, which currently average around three months. Berna attributed these delays to the country's rapid demographic growth outpacing planning decisions in recent years, arguing that Luxembourg must become more reactive and ensure that service capacity can adapt more quickly to demand in key medical fields.

The FHL also made clear that it does not support a full liberalisation of outpatient medical care. According to the FHL, hospitals remain the primary guarantee of quality over profit. Medical practices, they stressed, should remain under the leadership of doctors rather than private investors. Additional medical sites may be useful, but the FHL insists these should function as hospital-linked units rather than private ventures, a point also underlined by Dr Guy Berchem, FHL board member and medical director of the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL).

Berchem gave examples of how the CHL has already expanded its reach through satellite consultation centres in places such as Marnach, Grevenmacher, and Mersch, where specialists from the hospital provide care closer to patients.

Future plans

Looking ahead, the FHL hopes for significant improvements through the gradual development of competence networks, as well as through digitalisation. The FHL also pointed out that the legal and professional status of hospital doctors is currently being revised, a reform they see as essential.

Modernisation also includes infrastructure upgrades. Berchem noted that some hospital buildings, such as the current CHL site, are ageing and are already being replaced. New infrastructure will integrate the latest standards in radiology, surgery, and other fields.

Digitalisation is another key priority. The FHL explained that a fully digital patient pathway would allow medical staff across the system to access essential information without losing time gathering records, ultimately improving outcomes. Berna highlighted that better data would also allow hospitals to compare results more effectively, an essential tool for understanding their performance within Luxembourg and against other health systems.

Addressing long-term staffing needs, the FHL warned that Luxembourg cannot rely indefinitely on workers from the Greater Region. Berna stressed that the country must become more attractive to students currently completing their training abroad, many of whom do not return. He noted that higher salaries alone will not convince them: they also seek intellectually stimulating work environments where teaching and research are integrated into clinical careers, as well as better overall working conditions.

Above all, the FHL reiterated that patient wellbeing must remain the central priority, supported by high standards of quality, safety, clear information, and strong collaboration between patients, doctors, nursing staff, and administrative teams.

The FHL emphasised that none of these proposals are new, as the organisation already presented similar recommendations to the incoming CSV–DP government more than two years ago.