Hartpatiënten in West Flanders will soon benefit from improved hospital cooperation, easing the need to cross provincial borders for care. As of 2025-06-16 17:45:00, patients no longer have to travel specifically to Brugge or Roeselare for heart treatments, marking a significant shift in regional healthcare access.
- Hartpatiënten hoeven niet meer provinciegrens oversteken
- Patiënten werden onnodig ver weggestuurd
- Politieke motivaties beïnvloedden ziekenhuisverwijzingen
- Sommige ingrepen blijven mogelijk gecentraliseerd
- Ziekenhuizen delen specifieke expertise, zoals anesthesie
- Samenwerking streeft naar minimale ziekenhuisverplaatsingen
This change addresses previous inefficiencies where patients were often sent farther away than necessary. According to Ranschaert, this was less about the quality of care and more influenced by political motivations. Could this new approach lead to better patient experiences and reduced travel times?
While some specialized procedures might still be centralized in one hospital, such as those requiring specific anesthesiology expertise, the overall goal is to minimise patient transfers between hospitals.
What does this mean for patients and healthcare providers? Streamlining patient routes could improve efficiency and satisfaction. However, will centralising certain complex procedures affect access? Key points to consider include:
- Reduced patient travel across provincial borders for heart care
- Minimisation of transfers except for specialised treatments
- Focus on collaboration rather than political boundaries
Looking ahead, this collaboration could serve as a model for other regions. Patients and healthcare professionals alike should stay informed about these changes to maximise the benefits of more accessible, coordinated cardiac care.
