Stavanger University Hospital
Preparing 8,000 staff for the biggest move in Norwegian history
Large‑scale organisational change for a new hospital
sector
Services
The challenge
Nye Stavanger Universitetssjukehus is Norway’s largest construction project. With phase one costing NOK 11.3 billion and the major move scheduled for 2025, this represents a huge shift for healthcare in the Stavanger region. Staff needed thorough preparation for the significant changes and disruptions brought on by the new hospital.
Risks included service disruption, employee stress, loss of operational continuity and patient‑safety issues during one of the most complex healthcare transitions in Norwegian history
What we did
Together with Comte Bureau, service designers from Canoe worked closely with hospital leadership and staff from 2023 to 2025. “Trygg fra dag én” (“Safe from Day One”) was developed as a holistic framework to support employees before, during, and after the transition. The program combined training, simulations, information sessions, and social activities, all aimed at delivering a unified and thoughtful change process. Practical reflection and adaptation tools were created through deep interviews, workshops, observation, prototyping, and concept development. Close collaboration ensured that tools genuinely met staff needs and enabled everyone to feel confident, motivated, and aligned for the future.
Impact
- 8,000 staff successfully transitioned to the new facility.
- Zero major service disruptions during the move.
- Strong programme feedback
Why Canoe
The hospital needed a partner with proven experience in large‑scale organisational change who could work together with their organisational development teams, not just deliver advise from a distance, but practical support. Canoe combined change‑management expertise, service design and practical healthcare insight to design and execute a comprehensive journey.
