The Flemish Government and Flemish Minister for Welfare, Health and Family are investing an additional 900 million in 'precarious' Flemish hospital infrastructure. Our hospital also submitted an application and we were selected, along with about ten other hospitals, by Flemish Minister of Welfare, Health and Family.
This is a commitment to the further expansion of the only regional hospital in the northeastern Flemish region around Brussels. This area will see a sharp increase in outpatient care needs in the coming decades (mainly in the form of day clinic admissions and fewer inpatient overnight stays by 2030). It is therefore an important and innovative strategic project for the residents of the Flemish region around Brussels and for the Briant hospital network. In other words: for all of our healthcare clients and staff.
Our project is committed to the healthcare infrastructure of tomorrow: a smaller (i.e. fewer inpatient beds), sustainable, cost-effective and more agile health home: In addition to the current healthcare services provided, a far-reaching focus will be placed on collaboration with primary and tertiary care, on preventive care and on the accelerated development of day clinic admissions.
To respond smoothly to rapidly changing healthcare needs of patients in the region, a flexible infrastructure is urgently needed, a need that was made even more clear during the COVID crisis, for example.
We will also look for partnerships to develop certain support activities. Our project is fully based on the Flemish Government's vision of the future, as contained in the Green Paper "Hospital Of The Future" (2019).
Flemish Minister for Welfare, Health and Family Wouter Beke: “This is an important step. Because AZ Jan Portaels has been selected, they now have the opportunity to further complete their application, with a view to a final approval. This huge investment in our hospitals is part of a larger plan. The need for care in Flanders has changed dramatically, as a result of an ageing population, an increase in individuals with chronic conditions and people with multiple conditions at the same time. The Flemish Government wants to support hospitals and prepare them for the future. In this way, we can further develop the healthcare landscape in Flanders and remain close to people."
Hans Bonte, Mayor of Vilvoorde: "I wholeheartedly welcome the decision of the Flemish government and Flemish Minister of Welfare, Health and Family given the sharply rising population figures and so the corresponding need for care in our city. The project is a major contributor to the development of the CAT site (former Renault site) in Vilvoorde, for which a brownfield covenant has been concluded with the Flemish Government, and in which the Government, the province of Flemish Brabant and the city of Vilvoorde are investing. It will lead to the development of a new district with a mixed (work and residential) use."
Thierry Freyne, CEO of AZ Jan Portaels: "The Board and Management are very pleased with the decision. This will allow us to go full steam ahead with the continued expansion of our regional hospital and our plan providing for a phased transition to a hospital for the future. We would therefore like to express our thanks to Minister Beke for this important investment which will enable us to continue to provide warm, high-quality and realistic care to our patients in the region, in a safe and efficient infrastructure. This decision allows us to start responding to the healthcare infrastructure of tomorrow, based on the vision of the Green Paper 'Hospital Of The Future’. We will soon schedule a site visit with Minister Wouter Beke and Mayor Hans Bonte."
Click on the links below to view the press articles.
De Standaard: Vilvoorde hospital joins the fight against the next pandemic.
Het Nieuwsblad.: Flemish government invests heavily in building 'hospital of the future’: “This should allow us to better counter the next pandemic."
Ringtv: Flemish money for new Portaels hospital in Vilvoorde