Over two decades ago, the Barcelona Esquerra Integrated Healthcare Area (Àrea Integral de Salut de Barcelona Esquerra, AISBE) was born, an area of confluence and collaboration between primary care and specialized hospital care. This project sought to ensure continuity of care for people living in the vicinity of the hospital—the Les Corts, Sants-Montjuïc, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi and Esquerra de l’Eixample districts—and to strengthen the interaction between the family doctor and the patient’s healthcare specialist, encouraging shared follow-up. And while some data reflect the success of this model, now chosen as an example to be scaled up to the whole country, it is the fact that more than 120 professionals from the Clínic travel every week to the 20 basic healthcare areas of the AISBE, and the existence of over 35 clinical groups made up of primary care and hospital professionals who meet regularly to improve the care of the patients they have in common.
More recently, another strategic alliance has been shaping the present and future of the Clínic as a high-tech centre, which we have called the C17 Network. It takes its name from the motorway that links the Ripollès region with the Barcelonès region, passing through the Osona and Vallès Oriental regions, covering an area with a population of over one million inhabitants. This population is necessary for the care of highly complex pathology, in which the concentration of resources is justified both by the high level of expertise required and the high cost of certain procedures. However, the ultimate value of this surpraterritorial alliance goes beyond this in the current context of a shortage of health professionals, which makes it necessary to share resources to promote local care for patients with less complex health problems, in order to guarantee equal access to a portfolio of quality services, regardless of where they live.
Last but not least is the alliance with the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu. The alliance was formed almost 35 years ago, when the Clínic made the decision—still questioned today by certain sectors—to divest itself of its Paediatrics Department, and to place its trust in this institution. After all these years, the results are visible in the over 30 programmes developed together, and today we are proud to say that we work hand in hand with one of the most prestigious paediatric hospitals in Europe. Something that has undoubtedly been contributed to by the many renowned professionals we have shared.
It must be said, however, that these strategic alliances, which are necessary—and I would say essential—in everyone’s eyes, have not been easy. All the institutions are proud of their past and their management is legitimately responsible for their future, which sometimes leads them to prioritize their own particular interests. While this behaviour is, unfortunately, inherent to the human species, institutional trust, with the commitment made to the general public underlying it, is the best antidote for overcoming any temptation.
With our sights set on the New Clínic, and immersed in a global world with ever greater challenges lying ahead, alliances between responsible and committed institutions are more necessary than ever. In this respect, the Campus Clínic Barcelona is a unique opportunity to let go of our small “self” and make it as big as the generosity, trust and respect for everyone allows. We will succeed!
