The Hellenic Healthcare Group (HHG) is the largest private healthcare group in Greece and one of the largest in Europe. Its network includes Hygeia, Metropolitan Hospital, Mitera, Metropolitan General, Creta InterClinic, Apollonio Private Hospital, and Aretaeio Hospital in Cyprus, as well as the Molecular Biology & Cytogenetics Center ALab. Additionally, HHG operates an extensive network of state-of-the-art diagnostic centers, including HealthSpot locations in Peristeri, Kifisia, Glyfada, Piraeus, Rafina, Santorini, and Mykonos, as well as Platon Diagnosis centers in Athens and Thessaloniki.
International accreditation and new International Patients Department
Metropolitan Hospital in Neo Faliro has been accredited since 2013 by the international organization Temos International for the quality of care provided to international patients and its excellence in the field of medical tourism. Today, it further enhances its international profile with the establishment of an independent, specialized International Patients Department (IPD), with a specific focus on the cruise sector. The department operates under the leadership of Dr. Theofilos Sachinidis, an internist with extensive experience in medical tourism.
Holistic management of international patients
The innovation of the International Patients Department lies in the comprehensive and personalized management of each case, from the patient's arrival in Greece until their safe return to their country of origin. The team maintains constant and direct communication with the cruise ship physicians, receiving real-time updates on the patient's clinical condition, prescribed treatment, and previous examinations. Additionally, it ensures the prompt approval of hospitalization by the patient’s international insurance company and, whenever feasible, collects the patient's complete medical history from their home country.
Model primary healthcare center at the Port of Piraeus
As part of its commitment to comprehensive care for international patients, the International Patients Department of Metropolitan Hospital established, for the first time in Greece, a model primary healthcare center within the port of Piraeus (HealthSpot, OLP). The diagnostic center offers primary healthcare services, including medical examinations from various specialties, as well as microbiological and imaging tests through its radiology and ultrasound departments. It also serves as a triage point for cases that may require further hospitalization, coordinating their transfer to Metropolitan Hospital.
Similar services are also provided to patients at airports, ports, hotels, and shopping centers throughout Greece. The ability to receive cases from any location in the country, combined with HHG’s extensive network of model primary healthcare centers (HealthSpot), ensures immediate and effective service for both Greek and international patients.
Services for tourism professionals and employees
The International Patients Department also provides services to employees of tourism organizations, travel agencies, shipping agents, hotel staff, seafarers, and personnel at the port of Piraeus.
Nationwide and international coverage
HHG offers healthcare coverage throughout Greece with its presence in Crete (Creta InterClinic) and Cyprus (Apollonio Private Hospital & Aretaeio Hospital), as well as through partnerships with local healthcare units on the largest islands. The group’s proprietary fleet of ambulances and the availability of air medical transport ensure the safe transfer of patients in any emergency situation.
As Dr. Theofilos Sachinidis, director of the International Patients Department, states: "We ensure, by every means —whether with a private ambulance, helicopter, or speedboat— that we reach the patient, provide care for them and their relatives, and transport them to Athens if necessary."
Experienced multilingual team available 24x7x365
The department's operation is supported by a multilingual team of physicians with over 15 years of experience and the successful management of more than 10,000 cases in the field of medical tourism. The team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Comprehensive medical care and support for caregivers
Upon the patient's arrival at Metropolitan Hospital, immediate care is ensured in the emergency department, along with the completion of all necessary examinations and a rapid admission process. During hospitalization, the department's team provides continuous updates to the patient, the insurance company, and the shipping company regarding the patient's health status through written medical reports. Upon discharge, the patient receives copies of all examinations, medical reports, and discharge instructions in English.
In collaboration with the insurance company, all necessary arrangements are made to ensure the patient's safe return to their home country, accompanied by a physician or nurse if required. Additionally, there is the option of air medical transport to another hospital or rehabilitation center abroad for continued treatment and recovery.
Services for Greek patients
The services of the International Patients Department are not limited exclusively to international visitors but also extend to Greek patients located anywhere in Greece or abroad who require transfer and hospitalization at Metropolitan Hospital. The department fully undertakes the safe and immediate transfer process, as well as the further investigation and management of the underlying medical condition.
To best serve the patients, the department collaborates closely with all specialized medical and nursing departments of the hospital, utilizing state-of-the-art medical equipment and all available diagnostic and therapeutic resources to provide healthcare services of the highest standard.
Metropolitan Hospital’s strategic location ensures particularly easy and direct access, being in close proximity to the port of Piraeus, the coastal highway, and the Athens-Thessaloniki national road, while also offering immediate connection to bus stations, the electric railway, and train services, facilitating transportation even from "Eleftherios Venizelos" International Airport.
Additionally, the hospital’s bed capacity allows for room options tailored to the specific needs and preferences of each patient.
Special attention is also given to the accommodation of accompanying persons. In collaboration with partner hotels near the hospital, the department ensures their comfortable and safe stay, providing hospitality and support throughout the patient's hospitalization. Even in emergency situations, accompanying persons have the opportunity to experience Greek hospitality and receive the necessary care and assistance.
The group moves forward, and Greece moves forward with it
With the establishment of the International Patients Department, HHG strengthens Greece’s position in the field of medical tourism and travel medicine, providing comprehensive, high-quality healthcare services from the arrival of international patients to their safe return home.
International Patients Department – Metropolitan Hospital
Metropolitan Hospital offers its international patients the full range of medical services available to residents of Greece. For this reason, it has staffed the International Patients Department (IPD) with specialized and experienced personnel from the medical, nursing, and administrative sectors, ensuring the provision of comprehensive and high-standard care.
The primary objective of the department is to provide each international patient with personalized care, tailored to their health condition, as well as to their personal, cultural, linguistic, and religious needs, ensuring they feel as comfortable and secure as possible throughout their hospitalization.
Metropolitan Hospital can also provide air ambulance services all over Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Due to the close proximity of all these regions, any patient can be transferred to Metropolitan Hospital within just 1-2 hours.
For any questions or any further information, please call us on +30 210 4809372, +30 210 4809360 or +30 210 480 9453 or email us at intlpatients@metropolitan-hospital.gr.