About us

For nearly 250 years, Sahlgrenska University Hospital has helped advance healthcare, research and education. As one of Sweden's largest university hospitals, it integrates clinical care, research and education, helping shape the future of care.

Full continuum of healthcare services

Sahlgrenska University Hospital is Sweden's largest hospital, bringing together four hospital sites, 17,400 employees and more than 35 clinical specialties. Serving 1.7 million people across western Sweden and welcoming international patients, we delivers everything from routine and emergency care to some of the world's most advanced treatments.

What sets us apart is the breadth of expertise under one roof. By combining highly specialised services with the full continuum of care, we can support patients throughout their healthcare journey, from diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation and long-term follow-up.

A hub for clinical research and education

Ranked among the world's top 100 hospitals in Newsweek's latest global ranking, we are internationally recognised for excellence in areas such as organ transplantation, medical genomics and rare diseases.

We are also a leading centre for clinical research and medical education. Recognised by the Swedish Research Council as Sweden's leading university hospital for clinical research, we produce approximately 3,300 peer-reviewed publications each year. We also offer one of Sweden's strongest environments for medical and nursing education and are recognised as the country's highest-ranked university hospital for junior doctor training.

Excellence in comprehensive cancer care

Recognised by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) for excellence in cancer care and research, Sahlgrenska Comprehensive Cancer Centre drives innovation and improved outcomes for patients.

Person-centred care

Person‑centred care is a core principle at the hospital, guiding both the organisation and its clinicians. In practice, this means that care is organised around the individual patient, with a strong emphasis on participation and responsiveness to patients' needs.

Our history and heritage

Founded in the 18th century as a small charitable hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital has evolved over more than two centuries into a comprehensive hospital network delivering both general healthcare and advanced, highly specialised services.

The hospital is named after Niclas Sahlgren (1701–1776), a Swedish merchant and philanthropist whose donation laid the foundation for Sahlgrenska Hospital in Gothenburg in 1772.

Combining a 250‑year legacy with continuous renewal and growing specialisation remains a defining strength of Sahlgrenska University Hospital. It continues to serve patients and advance care across generations, with the ambition to do so for many more to come.

National Specialised Medical Care

Sahlgrenska University Hospital has been licensed to provide national specialised medical care by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. The 48 provided licenses cover highly specialised treatments and conditions within cancer care, children’s specialist care, heart, lung and vascular care, transplantation and organ failure, neurology and rehabilitation, rare and congenital conditions, surgery and reconstructive care, and mental health.

Licensed hospitals must demonstrate the highest levels of expertise, accessibility and multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. By concentrating expertise, research and clinical experience, national specialised medical care ensures that patients with rare, complex or highly demanding conditions have access to the most advanced treatment available in Sweden.

More information at the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare

European Reference Networks

European Reference Networks (ERNs) are EU-funded, cross-border networks that bring together highly specialised healthcare providers to improve care for people living with rare and complex diseases. By enabling clinicians across Europe to collaborate virtually, ERNs allow expertise to travel rather than the patient, supporting more accurate diagnoses and access to specialist treatment.

See which ERNs Sahlgrenska University Hospital is part of

The Swedish health care system

Sahlgrenska University Hospital operates within Sweden’s publicly funded healthcare system, often referred to internationally as the Swedish healthcare model. It delivers care based on need rather than ability to pay, with the overarching ambition of serving all patients on equal terms and ensuring equitable access to high‑quality care.

About the Swedish health care system (National Board of Health and Welfare)