Executive Summary
Inselspital Bern has disclosed the costs for implementing the new Epic software for the first time: 182.5 million francs. The sum significantly exceeds planned costs and has triggered political debate. Bern's health director questions whether all list hospitals need the system. The Grand Council wants detailed oversight before further investments.
People
- Pierre-Alain Schneck (Health Director, Canton of Bern)
Topics
- Healthcare, digitalization
- Hospital investments, cost control
- Cantonal health policy
Clarus Lead
The Inselgruppe Bern has released the total costs for migration to Epic after nearly two years: 182.5 million francs. The new software replaced 50 outdated systems. This expense has political consequences: Health Director Pierre-Alain Schneck questions blanket implementation at other Bern list hospitals. The Audit Committee of the Grand Council will examine how the implementation was carried out.
Detailed Summary
The cost overview consists of two components. The software itself and ten-year operation cost 104 million francs – that is 21 million over the planned 83 million. Inselgruppe explains the difference partly through added value tax. The remaining 78.5 million francs account for implementation costs such as training, data migration, and system customization.
The lack of transparency in original planned costs makes exact comparison difficult. This and the massive overall sum have sparked debate: Is Epic necessary for all regional hospitals or only for university centers? The Grand Council will clarify this question in the spring session 2026.
Key Statements
- 182.5 million francs total costs for Epic implementation at Inselspital
- Software costs exceed planning by approximately 21 million
- Blanket implementation at other Bern hospitals is controversial
- Audit Committee to review before further investments
Other News
- Valais: Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research warns of hazard level 4; heavy new snow on weak old snow base
- Fribourg: Mittlere Brücke to be renovated starting April 7 for six months
- RBS: Bern-Solothurn Regional Transport carried record 26 million passengers in 2025 (+5% YoY)
Critical Questions
Evidence: What data underlies the underestimation of implementation costs by 78.5 million – faulty estimates or retroactively added cost items?
Source Quality: Why were there "never exact specifications" for planned total costs? What control mechanisms should have ensured cost transparency?
Conflicts of Interest: What role did Epic as a vendor play in budget definition? Are there incentives for Inselgruppe to underestimate costs?
Causality: Are the 21 million cost overruns in software/operation really only attributable to value-added tax, or are there additional factors (staff training, delays)?
Alternatives: Were other systems evaluated or is Epic the fulfillment of earlier decisions without genuine option review?
Feasibility: What risks does blanket expansion to other hospitals entail if Inselspital has already doubled costs?
Side Effects: How does the 182.5-million-franc investment affect the availability of funds for other health priorities?
Political Control: Why was the Audit Committee only involved after project completion and not during implementation?
Sources
Primary Source: Regionaljournal Bern-Freiburg-Valais (SRF Audio) – 11.02.2026, 12:00 hrs
Verification Status: ✓ 12.02.2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model.
Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 12.02.2026