“The action plan, which should allow the RHNe to regain financial balance, is very ambitious and it will only be able to deploy its effects if the hospital is relieved of congestion”, declared Friday in La Chaux-de-Fonds Pierre- Francois Cuenoud. The Chairman of the Board of Directors referred to the 30 to 50 beds occupied for several months by patients awaiting medico-social placement (“C beds”).
In 2023, the effect of higher prices for energy, interest rates, medical products and drugs will lead to an overall additional cost of 5 million francs. Automatic salary adjustments will cost 4.7 million.
“Expenses increase and financing decreases. There is a scissors effect”, explained Léonard Blatti, the director of finances. However, the deficit is less than 3% of turnover.
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The Neuchâtel hospital network must tighten its belt
Job cuts
In 2023, the measures to improve the result should reach 18 million francs, including a cost reduction of 5 million at the personnel level. A hundred jobs out of a workforce of more than 2,400 people should be eliminated in two years.
“Almost half of the reduction corresponds to the regularization of overtime or is linked to temporary workers. The adjustment effort will not only affect the medical and nursing staff but also the administrative staff”, specified Pierre-François Cuénoud.
According to its president, the RHNe would like to reach 350 occupied beds on average, compared to 380 in 2022, which will also reduce the pressure on staff. Peaks at 420 beds were recorded in early 2023.
Expected deficit for the year 2022
For 2022, the RHNe expects a deficit of between 10 and 15 million francs. “The uncertain state funding is taken into account,” said Léonard Blatti. The budget forecast a deficit of 5.9 million but with limited Covid cases and few C beds.
The hospital was overloaded in 2022 due to Covid patients, the number of which rose to 1,660 over the year, and the strong growth of those awaiting medico-social placement. Emergencies have increased by 10% among adults and 25% among children, explained Muriel Desaulles, the president of the board of directors.
Investments of 25 million
The RHNe plans to invest an amount of 25 million francs in 2023. Of this sum, 12 million will be invested on the Montagnes site and 8.4 million on the Pourtalès site. The rest will be used for IT, biomedical and technical equipment and cross-functional services.
The return to financial balance, scheduled for 2024 and postponed to 2026, remains the priority. “If we have to add or build a new building, it will cost us and we will have to have the means to invest,” added Pierre-François Cuénoud.
ats/ami