• The initiative offers participants placements at hospitals with the aim of sharing experiences and best practices.

During the month of May, the University Hospital of Navarra welcomed two professionals as part of the exchange programme of the  European Hospital and Healthcare Federation (HOPE). As part of this initiative, a visit to Navarrabiomed was organised to learn about the biomedical research centre's activities and most outstanding projects. 

The director of Navarrabiomed - Miguel Servet Foundation Javier Gómez-Arrue and the head of I+D+I, Paula Aldaz, were responsible for welcoming the two visiting professionals: Andrea Cortés, subdirector of quality, quality improvement and innovation at King´s College Hospital (London, United Kingdom) and Agata Lisiewicz-Kaleta, director of operations at the University Hospital of Wroclaw (Wrocloaw, Poland). The event was also attended by HUN professionals: Cristina Llonch, 4th-year resident in Preventive Medicine and Public Health, and Marisa Saldaña, Clinical Management and Continuing Care Support Department. 

The placement at the University Hospital of Navarra lasted ten days, during which they visited various departments and facilities: Radiation Oncology Department, Pharmacy Department, General Emergency Department, Administrative Management Department (procurement, logistics, healthcare product alerts and infrastructure), Maternity and Paediatrics Department, Surgical Department and Geolocation Project, Inpatient Units, Information Systems and Medical Records. Visits were also made to the Ermitagaña Primary Care Centre, the Navarra Blood and Tissue Bank and Navarrabiomed. 

Travelling HUN professionals 

This year two HUN professionals are also taking part in the exchange: Merche Gabari, Specialist in Preventive Medicine at the HUN’s Clinical Management and Continuing Care Support Department at the Epicura group, with hospitals in Hornu, Baudour and Ath (Belgium), and Estíbaliz Martínez, Head of the Food Section at the HUN, has completed a placement at the Centre Hospitalier L’Aigle in Normandy (France). 
Both the professionals hosted and those travelling will take part in the final meeting "Agora HOPE 2025", which will take place on 13 and 15 June in Vienna, where all participants will share their experiences, evaluate the programme and draw conclusions.
 
Further information about HOPE

The European Hospital and Healthcare Federation (HOPE) is a non-profit association representing more than 14,000 hospitals in Europe. Spain has been a member since 1986.

This year the HOPE programme is in its 42nd edition, this time under the slogan: “All together for quality”. During the month-long programme, each participating professional gains in-depth knowledge of the host country's healthcare system through a comprehensive schedule of visits and interviews with key professionals. 

Its objectives include promoting the improvement of the health of citizens in European Union countries, harmonising standards and promoting the effectiveness, efficiency and humanisation of hospitals, services and healthcare systems in EU countries. Among its activities, it runs an annual exchange programme aimed at healthcare professionals working in the health sector with responsibility for healthcare management in hospitals, health centres or in central and regional government.