Vall d'Hebron named by CatSalut as a Clinical Expertise Unit (UEC) in the fields of rare immune diseases within the area of systemic autoimmune diseases.

It has received this classification for both the paediatric and adult population for rare immune diseases in the area of systemic autoimmune diseases and autoinflammatory diseases, and becomes part of the Network of Clinical Expertise Units (XUEC in Catalan) that is comprised of several hospitals throughout Catalonia.

Dr Sara Marsal, head of the Rheumatology Department at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital and head of the Rheumatology Research Group at the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), and Dr Albert Selva, coordinator of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases in the Internal Medicine Department, principal investigator of the Systemic Diseases Research Group of the VHIR and professor of Medicine at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, are the directors of the UEC in rare diseases for both paediatric and adult patients at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital.

Vall d’Hebron University Hospital now has seven XUEC accreditations, with the two new UEC designations being added to existing ones in minority diseases in the area of primary immunodeficiencies, neuromuscular diseases, renal diseases, hereditary metabolic diseases and genetic-based cognitive-behavioural diseases in children.

XUECs are networks of specialised multidisciplinary clinical services that are responsible for shaping the comprehensive and individualised treatment plan for individuals affected by minority diseases and their diagnosis. Each of these specialist networks is composed of a multidisciplinary team of professionals, which guarantees a high level of knowledge and expertise in the treatment of these diseases. The aim is to allow rapid and coordinated access for all people to this type of unit, guaranteeing early diagnosis and a treatment plan designed by a team of experts.

Vall d’Hebron University Hospital has more than 100 professionals dedicated to the treatment of more than 2,000 rare diseases, making it the Spanish hospital that treats the highest number of diseases of this description. The Vall d’Hebron Campus is the headquarters of the International Conference on Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs (ICORD), which brings together professionals from different areas linked to rare diseases, ranging from clinicians to researchers and even patient associations.