Unprecedented growth in key departments has made Shaare Zedek the fastest growing hospital in Jerusalem, treating over 10% more patients than the previous year. In 2014 Shaare Zedek treated 142,283 visitors to the Emergency Department. This is more than any other hospital in Jerusalem and nearly 14% more than average annual patient numbers at University College Hospital in London. The emergency department has seen 290% growth in the number of visits since 2003. Record patient numbers lead to an increased demand on services. Our continued support during this period of rapid growth has continued to play a fundamental role in the hospital’s ability to deliver its world class services whilst planning for future needs of the city through its expanding research programme.
There is a strong British footprint in every one of the hospital’s 14 internationally recognised centres of excellence. Our fundraising in the UK has been crucial to realising the ambitious plans of Shaare Zedek’s visionary Director General, Professor Jonathan Halevy. Professor Halevy has led Shaare Zedek for the last 26 years whilst continuing clinical practice, and in 2013 was appointed by the Israeli Health Ministry as Chairman of the Public Committee which determines which drugs, medical procedures and technology will be approved and subsidised by the national health care system. His unique multidisciplinary expertise has provided Shaare Zedek with stable, long term strategic direction. Under Professor Halevy’s leadership, the hospital is one the largest medical facilities in Israel, constantly developing and responding to the needs of the community it serves.