The Friborg Hospital (HFR) widened its loss last year to double it to 25.6 million francs. Very affected by the Covid-19 crisis, the institution says it has done “everything possible” to meet the needs of patients and employees.
Turnover for its part increased by 3.7% to stand at 537.7 million francs, said the HFR on Friday in Villars-sur-Glâne when presenting its 2021 accounts. As a reminder, the loss had reached 12.1 million at the end of the previous financial year.
The HFR treated nearly 20,000 inpatient cases in the acute care and rehabilitation departments (+9.3%). The ambulatory sector recorded an increase of 4.8% to total 493,839 patients. The development is mainly due to the screening tests for Covid-19.
Operating expenses increased by 4.8% to 533.4 million francs. The increase is mainly due to increases in medical equipment costs of 6.4% and payroll costs of 4.8%, due in particular to additional costs related to the pandemic.
Contribution of 35 million
The canton has paid 35 million francs to offset the costs relating to Covid-19. The operating loss amounts to 17.9 million francs, against 14.9 million in 2020. With the retrocession of Billens to the Glâne health network for a symbolic franc, 8.7 million are also charged to the 2021 accounts .
The operating margin (EBITDA level) was 0.79%, down one percentage point compared to the previous year. The target rate in the Swiss health sector is set at 10%, recalls the HFR in its annual report.
The share of shareholders’ equity is 7.7% lower than the previous year. The decline is explained by the annual loss recorded for 2021. Foreign capital increased by 21 million, mainly reflecting the growth of the canton’s current account.
/ ATS