IHF Governance

All IHF members form the IHF General Assembly, which is the formal decision-making body of all Members, and all Members are invited to its meetings. While every member has the right to speak at meetings of the General Assembly, only the full members can vote and elect members to the Governing Council.

The General Assembly convenes at least every second year during the IHF Biennial World Hospital Congress. Responsibilities of the General Assembly are the following:

• To elect and dismiss the Members of the Governing Council.
• To elect the President on recommendation by and from the Members of the Governing Council. The elected President will take office after two years spent as President-Designate.
• To elect, suspend and terminate the Honorary Members of IHF, on recommendation by the Governing Council.
• To serve as a Board of Appeal for decisions regarding Full Membership made by the Governing Council.
• To decide on the approval of the bi-annual activity report and annual financial reports of the IHF.
• To decide on the approval of long-term policy and strategy.
• To decide on the location of the IHF offices, on recommendation by the Governing Council.

The Governing Council is the organ charged with the overall governing of the affairs of the IHF, within the boundaries of the authority of or authorization by the General Assembly. There are twenty-one Governing Council members. The responsibilities of the Governing Council are the following:

• To represent the IHF in its relations with third parties,
• To authorize legal action by IHF going beyond the mandate given to the CEO as indicated in bylaws.
• To determine the Membership dues scheme for all Members of the IHF.
• To appoint, suspend and dismiss the Treasurer.
• To appoint, suspend and dismiss the CEO
• The recommendation for election to the General Assembly of a President.
• The recommendation to the General Assembly for appointment, suspension and termination of Honorary Members.
• The instruction of the Treasurer and the CEO.
• To serve as a Board of Appeal for decisions regarding Associate Members by the Executive Committee.
• To decide on the approval of the annual report and annual financial report, for ultimate approval by the General Assembly.
• To decide on proposals for long term policy and strategy, to be approved by the General Assembly.
• To adopt policy statements to voice IHF recommendations and/or concerns to health care organizations.
• The recommendation to the General Assembly on the location of the IHF offices.
• All other responsibilities, not explicitly attributed to the General Assembly, fall to the Governing Council. In those instances unforeseen by this Constitution the Governing Council will make a decision.

The Governing Council in turn elects from within its ranks an Executive Committee of four, namely the President, President Designate, Immediate Past Presdient and Treasurer. The Executive Committee is the organ charged with overseeing  the day to day running of the operations of IHF, conducting the affairs in between Meetings of the Governing Council, and supporting the CEO, within the boundaries of the authority of or authorization by the Governing Council.

The IHF Secretariat, led by a CEO appointed by the Governing Council, carries out the diverse day-to-day work of the Federation. The duties vary widely, as the Secretariat:

• Runs the business of the IHF, including the day to day operations of the IHF, the care of the IHF office facilities, IHF publications, the planning, coordination or implementation of conferences, congresses or other initiatives Associated with the work of the IHF, the relationships with and support of IHF Members, the promotion and furtherance of the mission, aims and objectives of the IHF, the planning and implementation of Membership drive, the engagement and dismissal of staff, the appropriation of funds and the expenditure according to the approved budget
• Prepares and executes policymaking by the organs of IHF
• Acts as a Secretary and keeps records of the proceedings of the organs of the IHF
• Represents the IHF in third party meetings
• Organizes supervision of analytical work undertaken under the auspices of the IHF
• Carrying out any other duties the Governing Council may require
• Fosters international partnerships that promote interaction among public and private hospitals and health care organizations, the community and commercial entities
• Promotes the improvement of patient care by actively participating and organizating  congresses, conferences and international events
• Establishes an effective, ongoing interface between its membership and the corporate sector

For more information on the governance of IHF, please consult IHF’s Constitution and Bylaw.