Hospices Civils de Lyon

Hospices Civils de Lyon is a public university hospital centre located in Lyon, France. It provides a comprehensive range of healthcare services, including acute care, surgery, maternity, pediatrics, and specialised medicine. The organisation also fulfills a teaching mission, training medical students and health professionals in partnership with local universities. Research activities are conducted across its sites, contributing to clinical trials and medical innovation. HCL operates multiple hospital facilities spread across the Lyon metropolitan area, offering both emergency and planned care. Its services are primarily directed at the resident population of the Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes region, but it also receives referrals from wider areas.

As one of the largest university hospital groups in France, HCL employs thousands of clinical, technical, and administrative staff. It serves a substantial patient volume each year, acting as a reference centre for several medical specialties. The organisation holds a dual role as a care provider and a public health institution under the French Ministry of Health. Its status as an Établissement public de santé means it is publicly funded and governed by a board appointed by state authorities. HCL’s affiliations with universities give it a distinct position in medical education and research within the region. In June 2023, the organisation was affected by a cyberattack that targeted a third‑party data transfer platform, leading to the exposure of staff identification details while its internal systems remained uncompromised. Following the incident, HCL filed a complaint with judicial police and the national data protection authority and notified the individuals whose data were affected.