Stavanger University Hospital has successfully moved from its Våland location to new premises at Ullandhaug. The complex transfer involved approximately 190 patients and required extensive coordination. Just one hour after the new emergency department opened, staff welcomed the first baby born at the new medical center.
The hospital relocation represents one of Norway's largest healthcare infrastructure projects in recent years. Medical facilities in Nordic countries typically undergo major upgrades every few decades to maintain world-class healthcare standards. This move follows similar hospital transitions in cities like Oslo and Bergen over the past decade.
Hospital CEO Helle Schøyen described the relocation as a historic milestone for both the institution and the entire region. The statement came during final preparations before the Sunday move. The executive emphasized the long-term benefits for patient care and medical services in southwestern Norway.
Approximately 1,500 staff members and 56 ambulances participated in the carefully orchestrated transfer. Additional emergency vehicles came from other hospitals and volunteer organizations including the Norwegian Red Cross. The hospital normally cares for about 450 inpatients, but this number was deliberately reduced to simplify the moving process.
The new Stavanger hospital facility spans 125,000 square meters and cost 12.7 billion Norwegian kroner to construct. It contains complete emergency functions, inpatient wards, and outpatient treatment facilities. Construction continues on additional sections that will house more day treatment services, rehabilitation, day surgery, mental health care, and administrative functions.
This hospital relocation demonstrates Norway's ongoing commitment to modernizing healthcare infrastructure despite high costs. The project's scale and complexity reflect the challenges of maintaining advanced medical services in a country with dispersed population centers. Similar major hospital projects are underway in other Nordic countries, though Norway's oil-funded economy enables particularly substantial investments in public health infrastructure.
The successful patient transfer and immediate delivery of medical services, including the timely birth, indicate careful planning and execution. The new facility's expanded capacity and modern equipment should enhance healthcare delivery throughout the Rogaland region for decades to come.