Bees on our rooftops and a contribution to the preservation of biodiversity

In 2021, we introduced you to a passionate young beekeeper who had just set up three beehives on the roof of Hôpital de la Providence in Neuchâtel.

Five years on, Rafael Klock has become a leading figure in his field throughout Switzerland. 
The growth of his business has enabled all the clinics in our group to experience the joys of living alongside bees. Today, no fewer than 73 hives are home to Rafael’s little charges, from Geneva to Zurich and from Basel to Ticino.

As was the case last year, the 2026 honey harvest has been exceptional overall, totalling 1,569 kg.
In detail, this breaks down as follows:

• 26,363 26g jars

• 3,252 250g jars

• 76 jars of 1,000g

Honey extraction is complete for this year, but the work doesn’t stop there. We must now carry out treatments, replace the queen bees and restock the hives with food – sugar syrup – to prevent the bees from consuming their winter reserves.

In Switzerland, as elsewhere, we are witnessing a gradual decline in the numbers of insects, birds and many plant species. This is why every contribution to biodiversity can prove extremely valuable. The Bee Sustainable initiative combines measures that support the preservation of biodiversity with honey production.

All of this benefits the general public, patients and the staff at our clinics. Although weather conditions – which vary from region to region and from year to year – can significantly affect the bees’ work and therefore the amount of honey available, Rafael’s expert hands continue to look after his little charges, ensuring that the ideal conditions are in place for the production of high-quality honey.

A big thank you to our resident beekeeper for his tireless work across all our clinics.