It cooperates closely with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in research and in education of medical doctors.

Trondheim Heliport, St. Olav's Hospital (ICAO: ENTR) is a helipad located adjacent to the emergency ward.

Sør-Trøndelag county municipality increased its ownership from one third to half in 1948 and in 1950 it changed its name to Trondheim Central Hospital.

Through the late 1990s and early 2000s a major debate about the location was initiated, with a suggestion to move the entire hospital to Dragvoll on the outskirts of the city.

The same year the Government, through Central Norway Regional Health Authority had taken over the responsibility for the hospital.