Dutch hospitals score an average of 7.2 for financial health according to the "BDO-Benchmark Ziekenhuizen 2023". However, these impressive figures present a distorted picture, as returns are low and increasingly under pressure from rising costs that are not offset by higher tariffs. Additionally, KPMG research shows that hospital productivity has barely increased since 2011. This is a major challenge at a time of growing healthcare demand, rising waiting lists, and staff shortages.

To keep healthcare accessible in the future, hospitals must be able to invest in redesigning care processes and digital transformation. However, this opportunity does not exist. Different budgeting and forecasting models and management methods are required. It is essential to have a clear picture of healthcare demand development and its impact on required capacity, its planning, and management. By optimally aligning healthcare demand and capacity and leveraging data strategically, hospitals can work more efficiently, increase productivity, and improve returns.

Important questions emerge, such as: How do hospitals integrate strategic challenges into their planning and control cycle? How is collaboration organized and how are responsibilities assigned appropriately? How do hospitals monitor and manage their targets? And what role does data play in decision-making?

To provide insight into these matters, Performation has conducted this benchmark research with the core question: How can hospitals optimize the balance between financial sustainability and patient care quality through optimal capacity utilization?