EPHA awards 2025 – Empowering patient care experience
Author: Ilaria Giannico (European Union of Private Hospitals)
The European Union of Private Hospitals (UEHP) and the Alianza de la Sanidad Espanola (ASPE), in partnership with EY, organized the 4th edition of the European Private Hospital Awards (EPHA) in Madrid last 29th October.
The Awards represent a celebration of excellence and innovation within Europe’s private healthcare sector, playing an essential role in complementing public health systems, investing in innovation, and ensuring access and choice for patients.
This year’s competition was structured in eight categories:
- Empowering Patient Care Experience
- Excellence in Health Tech Innovation
- Innovation in Preventive Care
- Excellence in Professional Development
- Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships & Collaborations
- Healthcare Resilience and Crisis Management
- Best Integration of AI in Healthcare
- Sustainable and Green Practices in Hospitals
The category “Empowering patient care experience” celebrates the most innovative initiatives that elevate the patient experience throughout the entire journey of care. Projects that go beyond medical treatments, embracing expectations, emotions and trust. Because true excellence means caring for people, not just treating conditions.
The winner of this category was OKULUS PLUS Centrum Okulistyki i Optometrii in Poland. Okulus Plus has developed a groundbreaking model for presbyopia treatment through refractive lens exchange supported by visual neuroadaptation. By merging artificial intelligence, visual simulation and postoperative rehabilitation, the program offers full independence from glasses and complete visual recovery. Innovation focused on patient comfort, confidence and quality of life.
The other two finalists of this category were:
- Clinique des Cèdres – France
Clinique des Cèdres has created the MICI Institut Privé, a pioneering model of comprehensive care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. With a 360-degree approach, it combines clinical research, interdisciplinary coordination and psychological support to improve quality of life and overall well-being. A program that brings science and empathy together, caring for both body and mind.
- Ramsay Santé – France
Ramsay Santé has introduced an innovative stepped care model in mental health to improve access to treatment in areas with limited resources. Grounded in cognitive behavioural therapy and multidisciplinary collaboration, it combines clinical effectiveness with personalized attention and patient empowerment, reducing waiting times and avoidable hospitalizations. A compassionate approach that brings mental health care closer to everyone.
Congratulations to the winners, the finalists and a big shout out to our members for their commitment and dedication to delivering safe and sustainable healthcare to our patients!
As part of the European Alliance for Value in Health (EAVH), UEHP is dedicated to highlighting leading examples of Value-Based Healthcare practices from private hospitals across Europe. Our goal is to encourage innovative models of care delivery and promote new payment approaches that motivate hospitals and healthcare professionals to focus on value and patient-relevant outcomes, ultimately aiming to enhance patient satisfaction.
