Healthcare Simmental-Thun-Saanenland hospital posts a loss
Spital Simmental-Thun-Saanenland (STS) AG closed the 2023 financial year with a loss of CHF 3.4 million. Despite record-high patient numbers, the increase in expenses got out of hand, as STS AG announced.
28.06.2024, 10:58
SDA
"In addition to the shortage of specialists, it is the existing tariffs and rising costs that make it financially difficult for hospitals to achieve positive results," Adrian Gehri, CEO ad interim, was quoted as saying in the press release on Friday.
Operating expenses rose by 5.4 percent to CHF 314.9 million compared to the previous year. The largest cost item was personnel expenses, as STS AG also reported. These increased by 6.4 percent and amounted to CHF 205.7 million last year.
Operating income, on the other hand, rose by 3.1 percent to 312.1 million francs. In the inpatient sector, 17,255 people were treated, which corresponds to an increase of 4.8 percent. Demand for outpatient services increased by 6.5 percent.
In addition, the questions surrounding the future of Zweisimmen Hospital are of concern to both employees and the population, as Spital STS wrote.
An open dispute has broken out over the Zweisimmen hospital site. After several projects had already failed, the hospital was to have been transferred to the private Medaxo Group. In a report on the transfer of the hospital published on Thursday, the Bernese Audit Office came to the conclusion that the solution sought by the cantonal health directorate is unlawful.
