SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital, with over 150 years of history, stands as one of Europe’s leading centres for paediatric care, research, and innovation. In 2024 and early 2025, the hospital has achieved a series of remarkable milestones garnering international recognition, launching pioneering projects, and furthering its mission to deliver world-class, compassionate healthcare to children and families from around the globe.
International Recognition and Five-Star Global Hospital Rating
This year, SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital was awarded the prestigious five-star rating in the international Global Hospital Rating from Newsweek, a testament to its unwavering commitment to clinical excellence, patient-centred care, and leadership in complex paediatric medicine. As Spain’s first single-speciality hospital in paediatric oncology and the second of its kind in Europe, the SJD Pediatric Cancer Centre Barcelona has become a benchmark for advanced cancer treatment, attracting patients and recognition from across the world.
Pioneering Advanced Therapies and Research
SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital continues to lead in the development and application of advanced therapies. The hospital recently launched a state-of-theart platform dedicated to the production and development of cutting-edge treatments, such as CAR-T cell therapies. This facility, part of the SJD Pediatric Cancer Centre Barcelona, includes an R&D laboratory, cleanrooms, and cryopreservation capabilities, enabling the hospital to offer therapies available in only a handful of centres worldwide.
Notably, SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital was among the first hospitals globally to offer CART-19 immunotherapy and, in collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, anti-G2 immunotherapy with naxitamab for refractory high-risk neuroblastomas. The hospital also develops oncolytic viruses for the treatment of eye tumours, underscoring its role as a global innovator in paediatric oncology.
Driving Paediatric Innovation: 3D Modelling and Robotic Surgery
Innovation at SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital extends beyond clinical care. The hospital has embraced emerging technologies such as 3D modelling and robotic surgery, which are being used to plan and execute complex paediatric procedures. These tools improve precision, safety, and outcomes in areas like neurosurgery, oncology, and orthopaedics
– underscoring SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital’s commitment to leading the future of paediatric surgery.
Comprehensive Care and Family-Centered Approach
SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital is not only defined by its clinical achievements but also by its holistic, family-centred care model. The hospital’s facilities are designed to create a healing environment, incorporating art, music, therapy dogs, and even canine-assisted operations to reduce anxiety and pain for young patients. Initiatives such as the Family Council and Youth Council ensure that the voices of patients and their families are central to the hospital’s ongoing improvement efforts.
Expanding Networks and Global Reach
SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital continues to extend its global influence. In 2024, international patient care grew by 16%, underscoring its appeal as a global destination for specialized paediatric treatment. The hospital also welcomes clinicians from across the globe for training in innovative techniques such as 3D surgical planning, robotic-assisted procedures, and novel therapies. SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital is recognized internationally for its leadership in clinical trials and collaborative research, particularly in oncology and rare diseases.
Clinical Excellence and Outcomes
With more than 3,400 specialized professionals, SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital treats over 450,000 patients annually, including some of the most complex cases in paediatric medicine. The hospital boasts a 90% survival rate for focal brain tumours, an 85% cure rate for localized osteosarcomas, and notable outcomes in paediatric leukaemia, particularly acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Its expertise spans paediatric surgery, foetal surgery, cardiology, neurology, rare diseases, orthopaedics, neurosurgery, and oncology, making it a reference centre not only in Spain but across Europe and beyond.
Looking Ahead
As SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital continues to set new standards in paediatric care, research, and innovation, its achievements in 2024 and 2025 serve as a beacon of hope for children and families worldwide. Through global recognition, pioneering therapies, and a steadfast commitment to holistic, family-centred care, SJD reaffirms its place at the forefront of international paediatric medicine – where healing, compassion, and discovery go hand in hand.
- For more information, visit: www.sjdhospitalbarcelona.org/en
