When exactly does the new wing of the Grisons hospital open?

The move is scheduled for the end of November 2026. Before then, an open day (this Saturday) allows the public to visit the still largely empty spaces. Immediately afterwards, rigorous testing of IT and management systems will begin. The hospital will be fully operational by the end of the month.

What is the total cost of expanding the hospital?

The final investment is CHF 518 million. The original budget was 430 million; the first increase brought it to 442 million (of which 4 million for legislative changes). Subsequent rises reflect inflation, geopolitical conflicts, and scarce offerings in the Swiss construction market.

How does the emergency room and surgery in the new wing change?

Emergency room, operating rooms and intensive care are on the same floor (fifth wing). All urgent cases will enter through a single emergency room door, improving coordination between medical disciplines and reducing the internal travel time of patients in critical situations.

By how much do the hospital's operating rooms increase?

The operating rooms of the main office increase from 10 to 13 (increase of 3 rooms). About 17,000 interventions are currently carried out in Chur per year, with an average increase of 2% per year due to the ageing of the Swiss population.

How did the pandemic affect the design of the new wing?

The first wing was inaugurated in 2020 during the lockdown. The lessons of the health crisis have been incorporated into the design of the second section: spaces are now more flexible, allowing for rapid reconfiguration in the event of future health emergencies.

Graubünden Hospital: 518 million for new wing (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 18 August 2026

Grisons Cantonal Hospital, modern architectural design of new five-story wing with unified emergency entrance

Twelve years of construction end. The cantonal hospital of Graubünden in Chur inaugurates the new structure with 518 million francs invested. Operating rooms increased, moving at the end of November.

Context

In a nutshell

New Graubünden hospital wing ready at the end of November 2026 after 12 years of construction
Total investment of CHF 518 million, up from CHF 430 million initially
Operating rooms increase from 10 to 13; emergency room and surgery on the same floor
Approximately 17,000 surgeries per year in Chur, with growth of 2% per year

Key facts

What: Extension of the Graubünden cantonal hospital with a new 5-storey wing
When: End of November 2026 (moving), open day this Saturday
Where: Chur, Canton of Graubünden, southeastern Switzerland
Who: Canton of Graubünden, Primary Thomas Müller, Head of Surgery Robert Slipac
Amount: 518 million francs (from 430 original)
Duration: 12 years, one of the largest construction sites in the 85-year history of the hospital
Interventions: 17,000 per year now, 15,000 ten years ago

Twelve years of intense work are coming to an end. The Cantonal Hospital of Graubünden in Chur inaugurates the new wing with an investment of 518 million francs, one of the largest construction sites in the 85-year history of the structure. The move is set for the end of November: before then, an open day (scheduled this Saturday) allows visitors to access the spaces — still largely empty, devoid of medical equipment, but architecturally functional.

During a visit reserved for journalists, Thomas Müller, head of emergency medicine at the Cantonal Hospital of Chur, explained that the wing does not yet have "the

Operational details

Why enlargement was necessary: ageing population and tourist pressure

The twelve-year construction site was no coincidence. The hospital had to face two central dynamics of contemporary Switzerland: the aging of the population and the progressive increase in surgical interventions. Chur does not only serve the local residents of the Graubünden. The region experiences significant demographic spikes during the tourist seasons, with population increasing significantly in summer and winter. The new structure is sized to also respond to these additional flows, ensuring quality of care when the pressure is at its maximum.

Prime Minister Müller stresses that "the new structure will be able to meet the needs and requirements of the population of south-eastern Switzerland". A definition that recognises the regional role of the hospital — a reference centre for the whole territory and for visitors who pass through the area, where access to emergency care is a priority throughout the year.

The final investment is higher than initially planned. The original budget was CHF 430 million. The first increase brought it to 442 million (an increase of 12 million, of which 4 million due to legislative changes). The final jump to 518 million reflects three concrete factors that have affected large Swiss public construction sites: inflation, geopolitical conflicts and effects on the construction market (few offers

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Key points

The timeline towards operations: testing and moving by November

The move is scheduled for the end of November 2026. Prior to that time, a tight sequence of activities will define the final details. Immediately after the open day on Saturday, the focus shifts to the testing of the various systems: computer tests (networks, digital medical records), system tests (air conditioning, power supply, medical communications), workflow tests (coordination between the emergency room, surgery, intensive care). Only after this complete validation will the actual moving phases begin.

What will change for patients and visitors

Starting at the end of November, anyone accessing the emergency room will find a completely redesigned facility. The single entry for urgent cases streamlines the initial triage. Those who need surgery will be immediately in the appropriate departments, without unnecessary movement between different floors. The time to access intensive care, in case of complications, is significantly reduced.

The population of south-eastern Switzerland — residents of Graubünden and Ticino — in need of complex care (surgeries, intensive care admissions, trauma management) will benefit from the increased capacity. For tourists visiting the Graubünden during the winter or summer, a modern and efficient hospital facility is a guarantee of the quality of care in case of emergency.

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Source: swissinfo.ch

Frequently Asked Questions

When exactly does the new wing of the Grisons hospital open?: The move is scheduled for the end of November 2026. Before then, an open day (this Saturday) allows the public to visit the still largely empty spaces. Immediately afterwards, rigorous testing of IT and management systems will begin. The hospital will be fully operational by the end of the month.
What is the total cost of expanding the hospital?: The final investment is CHF 518 million. The original budget was 430 million; the first increase brought it to 442 million (of which 4 million for legislative changes). Subsequent rises reflect inflation, geopolitical conflicts, and scarce offerings in the Swiss construction market.
How does the emergency room and surgery in the new wing change?: Emergency room, operating rooms and intensive care are on the same floor (fifth wing). All urgent cases will enter through a single emergency room door, improving coordination between medical disciplines and reducing the internal travel time of patients in critical situations.
By how much do the hospital's operating rooms increase?: The operating rooms of the main office increase from 10 to 13 (increase of 3 rooms). About 17,000 interventions are currently carried out in Chur per year, with an average increase of 2% per year due to the ageing of the Swiss population.
How did the pandemic affect the design of the new wing?: The first wing was inaugurated in 2020 during the lockdown. The lessons of the health crisis have been incorporated into the design of the second section: spaces are now more flexible, allowing for rapid reconfiguration in the event of future health emergencies.