Southeast Drenthe can call itself the first: the very first regional residential care agreement in the Netherlands was signed today in Emmen. More than 35 organizations and the municipalities of Borger-Odoorn, Coevorden and Emmen signed the agreement today. All parties want to work better and more together when it comes to care and housing.
The regional residential care agreement is a concrete elaboration of two national agreements on housing and care. These have been elaborated by the three municipalities into a regional translation of that policy. And that is another springboard to concrete agreements that all parties make together about the needs of residents in the field of housing and care.
What are these and is this addressed in consultation? It must be prevented that all healthcare and social parties operate as islands. The idea is that more can be gained from closer collaboration.
Within the Netherlands, each region is expected to develop the aforementioned national agreements into a regional variant. To get all the frogs into the wheelbarrow and keep them there; There was some work involved, according to Emmen councilor Guido Rink.
In any case, things have been going well in the southeastern corner of Drenthe, because the region is the first to cross the line. Rink expects that concrete nails can be hammered home in this regard next year.
A number of pilot projects have now been started in Geesbrug, Nieuw-Buinen and Klazienaveen. The aim is to increase the quality of life. In Nieuw-Buinen this happens under the banner of the Neighborhood Chamber in MFA Noorderbrood. This is a facility for residents who have questions about housing, welfare and care.
At the Tinten Welfare Group, local district nurses work together to manage all care questions. Many non-medical questions are also received. In that case, informal care such as neighborly assistance could offer a solution. The pressure on healthcare staff is great and by working in this way, community nursing can stay afloat, says Tinten.
In Klazienaveen, such a role is taken up by the general practice. According to practice manager Kirsty Jaspers, the practice fulfilled the role of antenna for care questions in the immediate area. “We already did that on our own. But in this setup it can be expanded.”
Collaboration with and between other players in the field is essential. Just to give a practical example. “There are four home care organizations active in a neighborhood. In the future, people will continue to live at home longer. How can you work together on this?” Now it’s all more competition-driven, says Jaspers. But with the increasing pressure and shortage of healthcare personnel, things will really have to change. “There is a lot to gain.”