Organization of health care services

On March 26, 2025, the Law to accelerate the digitalization of the healthcare system (Digital Law, DigiG) came into force.

On March 21, 2025, the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) announced that the establishment of the Transformation Fund, one of the key elements of the approved hospital reform, was formally endorsed by the Federal Council (Bundesrat) through a corresponding legal ordinance.

In February 2025, the Ministry of Health and Care Services published a National Cancer Strategy for 2025-2030. The strategy outlines five key target areas with corresponding goals and actions. The target areas comprise pioneering cancer prevention and early detection, improving patient outcomes, enhancing user-oriented cancer care, increasing survival rates and longevity, and ensuring the best possible quality of life. The actions include the expansion of national screening initiatives, the accreditation of Comprehensive Cancer Centers, digital home monitoring, precision diagnostics, and the establishment of a national healthcare innovation hub.

On March 13, 2025, a major organizational reform was announced by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). It is planned to abolish the NHS England and reintegrate its functions into the DHSC. The initiative aims to reduce bureaucracy, eliminate duplication between the two bodies, improve efficiency, and cut costs. The transition is expected to be completed within the next two years.

In January 2025, the General Directorate of the Common Package of Benefits of the National Health and Pharmacy System released a Resolution regarding the participation of patients in the working groups dependent on the Commission of Benefits, Insurance, and Financing (CPAF). This Resolution officially endorses patient involvement in CPAF working groups to enhance the legitimacy and inclusivity of healthcare policy decisions.

On February 4, 2025, the French National Authority for Health (HAS) published its 2025-2030 strategic project. The document outlines current challenges and opportunities in the health system, defines three strategic priorities, and identifies three key areas in which HAS intends to increase its investment over the next five years.

In February 2025, the Board of Danish Regions meeting was held. The key themes discussed concerned prioritizing public wellbeing and environmental sustainability, expanding cancer treatment capacity and funding, and the status of the Common Regional Procurement Strategy 2020-2025 (including “green” procurement).

On January 28, 2025, the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) provided updates on implementing the Hospital reform in Germany.

In January 2025, it was announced that two Benchmark centers, departments, and units of the Spanish National Health System (CSURs) were designated, and two CSURs were redesignated for previously approved pathologies and procedures in the cardiovascular field.

On January 6, 2025, NHS England, jointly with the Department of Health and Social Care, published the plan to reform elective care. The key commitment is to return to a standard where 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment by March 2029. To achieve this, NHS England has proposed an action plan, including financial incentives for elective care in areas with the longest waiting list.

The Federal Ministry of Health summarized multiple changes in the healthcare system that will be introduced in 2025. The most important ones relate to the further steps in digitalizing healthcare and hospital reform.

On December 20, 2024, the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Center (KCE) released the Health Services Research report on expenditure control measures in Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG)-based hospital payment systems. The report offers an overview of the current hospital financing model in Belgium, details proposed reforms toward case-based DRG payments, reviews expenditure control mechanisms in five European countries, and provides recommendations to stakeholders.