Farewell to HPA: Algarve healthcare group adopts CUF name

The familiar HPA name that has been part of Algarve healthcare for decades is disappearing, with hospitals and clinics across the region officially adopting the CUF brand.

The move marks the latest stage in the integration of the HPA Health Group into Portugal’s largest private healthcare provider, bringing an end to a brand that has become synonymous with private healthcare for generations of Algarve residents and expatriates.

For many people living in the region, HPA – originally Hospital Particular do Algarve – has long been one of the most recognisable names in healthcare, growing from its roots in the Algarve into a wider network that eventually expanded into the Alentejo and Madeira.

Now, all HPA hospitals and clinics will operate under the CUF name as part of a nationwide network that spans 66 hospitals, clinics and health centres across Portugal.

The rebrand comes after CUF completed the purchase of a 75% controlling stake in the HPA Saúde group earlier this year.

The change affects healthcare units throughout the Algarve, Alentejo and Madeira and represents what CUF describes as a new phase of integration aimed at creating a more connected healthcare system.

While patients will immediately notice the new branding, company officials say the most significant changes are happening behind the scenes.

One of the main developments already introduced is the integration of patient records across the network, allowing healthcare professionals in former HPA units to access clinical information from patients receiving treatment at other CUF facilities around the country.

According to CUF, this will improve continuity of care and make it easier for patients who move between regions or require treatment from different specialists within the network.

“The adoption of the CUF brand represents an important moment for our teams, our patients and the communities we serve,” said Pedro Bastos, chief executive officer of CUF’s healthcare units in the Algarve, Alentejo and Madeira.

“It is a step that reinforces our integration into a national healthcare network with a long-term vision, built on clinical quality, proximity and trust,” he added.

The company says the transition will continue gradually, with further “harmonisation of systems and services” across the network while maintaining existing standards of care.

“We want those who choose us to experience, more than ever, the benefits of being part of an integrated national network. The sharing of knowledge between teams, continuity of care and the ability to mobilise specialised expertise are key factors that enable us to respond more effectively to the needs of local communities and prepare for the future of healthcare delivery in these regions,” Pedro Bastos said.

The rebranding represents the final step in a process that has steadily brought HPA into the CUF fold, transforming one of the region’s most established healthcare groups into part of a national network serving more than 1.6 million clients.

Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.