HUCA in Oviedo named Spain's best-managed public hospital, rising from 50th to 15th in national ranking

The Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA) in Oviedo has been awarded the prize for best-managed public hospital in Spain by the journal New Medical Economics.

The hospital's candidacy was based on continuous, measurable and sustainable transformation that has consolidated it as a national and international reference in innovation, humanisation, clinical research and organisational excellence.

This recognition, which saw the hospital rise from 50th to 15th place in the Healthcare Reputation Monitor, positions the HUCA among the most advanced public hospitals in Europe.

The award, presented to the hospital's manager Beatriz López and Health Councillor Concepción Saavedra at a ceremony in Madrid, reflects a trajectory of sustained improvement that has placed the HUCA in a select group of Spanish public hospitals. Among the aspects valued for the award are its rise from 50th to 15th position in the Monitor de Reputación Sanitaria (Healthcare Reputation Monitor) — with eight services at the top of the national ranking. The hospital has also been a pioneer in microwave bronchial ablation, new heart valve implants and the use of AI systems in cardiovascular intervention, and has carried out the second femoral osseointegration procedure in Spain.

These achievements place the HUCA at the forefront of Spanish healthcare innovation. The hospital's leadership in advanced procedures such as microwave bronchial ablation — a technique for treating lung conditions with greater precision and less invasive impact — and its use of artificial intelligence in cardiovascular interventions, demonstrates a commitment to adopting cutting-edge technology that is typically associated with private or international centres. The fact that it has carried out only the second femoral osseointegration procedure in Spain — a complex surgical technique for prosthetic attachment — further underlines its role as a pioneer in the national healthcare system.

The HUCA is also a reference centre for Familial Cardiomyopathies (Dr. Rebeca Lorca), Movement Disorders (Dr. Marta Blázquez), brain neuromodulation for refractory neuropathic pain and Brachial Plexus conditions (Dr. Daniel Camporro).

These specialised designations are particularly significant for international buyers considering a move to Asturias. Access to a healthcare system that not only provides general care but also offers advanced, specialised treatment for complex conditions is a factor that distinguishes regions for long-term residency. The HUCA's designation as a reference centre for Familial Cardiomyopathies, Movement Disorders, brain neuromodulation for refractory neuropathic pain, and Brachial Plexus conditions — with named specialists leading each area — provides a level of assurance that is difficult to find in many other regions of Spain.

This level of healthcare excellence is a decisive factor for international buyers considering a move to Asturias. InasTour, acting exclusively as a buyer's agent, consistently finds that access to high-quality public healthcare ranks among the top criteria for clients from abroad. The HUCA's recognition as the best-managed public hospital in Spain, with its advanced procedures and specialist reference centres, provides the assurance that international residents can access world-class care in the region.

The HUCA's award as Spain's best-managed public hospital is not a marginal achievement. It reflects a broader commitment to excellence in public services that characterises Asturias as a region. For international buyers, the quality of healthcare is a determinant of long-term value — a factor that influences not only quality of life but property appreciation. The HUCA's leadership in innovation, its specialist designations and its reputation for excellence all contribute to the case for Asturias as a region that offers not only natural beauty but the institutional infrastructure to support a secure and healthy life.