As healthcare systems across Europe face growing pressure from ageing populations, staff shortages and rising costs, Luxembourg has introduced a new framework to better measure performance and guide policy decisions.
The aim is to gain a comprehensive overview of the healthcare system so that political decisions can be made on the basis of data.
Systematically analysing the healthcare system as a whole and helping decision-makers take better-informed decisions is the objective of the Health System Performance Assessment (HSPA), a national framework presented last week.
The project was launched two years ago by the National Health Observatory in collaboration with the OECD, the EU, and around 30 stakeholders from the health sector.
This national reference framework is designed to evaluate the performance of Luxembourg’s healthcare system.
All healthcare systems face challenges, explained Anne-Charlotte Lorcy, general coordinator at the National Health Observatory, citing ageing populations, financial constraints, staff shortages, and environmental pressures. In this context, she stressed the importance of having a clear and strategic understanding of system performance.
The project builds on international reference frameworks but has been fully adapted to national needs. According to Lorcy, particular attention has been given to areas such as mental health, the availability of resources, and Luxembourg’s strong reliance on healthcare professionals trained abroad.
The significant use of the system by non-residents is also a key factor taken into account, she noted.
The framework includes no fewer than 105 indicators covering outcomes, processes, resources, and other key aspects of the system.
Lorcy explained that these indicators are organised into different domains and subdomains and will be monitored over time to detect potential declines in performance and identify areas requiring improvement. She noted that they will also be compared at international level, allowing Luxembourg to be benchmarked against the European average and neighbouring countries.
In addition, Lorcy said that the data will be analysed across different categories, such as gender, age, and education level, to highlight potential inequalities within the system.
According to Lorcy, the overarching goal is to improve population health. The second objective is, she said, to support evidence-based policymaking, while a third objective is to increase transparency by making objective data about the healthcare system publicly available.
Lorcy emphasised that this is a long-term project, with the framework expected to evolve over time depending on the needs of the healthcare system.
Further information is available on the website of the National Health Observatory (in French).
