Almost 4000 respondents of an internet poll among state and municipality-owned hospitals have given the title “Best Hospital of 2009” for the Heart Centre of Semmelweis University led by Professor Béla Merkely.

The result is the more precious, as, opposed to “regular” awards, it was in this case the patients of the institutions who were giving marks according to the following five criteria: medical care, infrastructure, nursing and special staff, service and cleanliness in the institutions.

The voters left no doubt about their choice: the Heart Centre has won in all five categories. Bethesda Children’s Hospital and the National Oncology Centre came second and third in the poll.

Besides the prestige and “fame”, the award also brings state-of-the-art IT equipment to the Heart Centre.