ABSTRACT
Health cooperatives have been emerging as an alternative and addition to both profit-driven and public healthcare systems, addressing the need for community-based and patient-centric healthcare services. In Western Europe, these cooperatives have emerged within social movements that seek to enhance healthcare access and quality for all individuals. Several countries, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, and Sweden, have witnessed the significant contribution of health cooperatives in promoting social solidarity and supplementing national healthcare systems. This chapter focuses on developing healthcare systems, emphasising the development of health cooperatives, and shedding light on their contributions to the healthcare sector. By exploring the historical and modern aspects of health cooperatives, this chapter aims to underscore their importance in meeting communities’ evolving healthcare needs. These cooperatives are driven by a commitment to patient-centred care and community engagement, offering an alternative model that prioritises social welfare.
