Together they want to investigate how they can combine their knowledge, experience and resources. “All three of us are convinced of the value of a public residential care offering,” says Christof Dejaegher, mayor of Poperinge. “We do not want to watch as the public supply disappears, but rather work together to keep care local, affordable and high-quality.”
Complex healthcare landscape
The collaboration is intended to ensure continuity of care in an increasingly complex healthcare landscape. “Care demands are becoming heavier and staff shortages make the work more difficult. Small facilities are often alone in that storm. Working together strengthens us, like trees that are more resistant in a forest than as a lonely tree in the wind,” adds Wieland De Meyer, mayor of Heuvelland.
Strengthen striking power
Over the past ten years, the market share of the public healthcare sector has fallen by more than 20%. Many facilities were taken over by private groups. “We consciously choose a different path,” emphasizes Lieven Vanbelleghem, mayor and chairman of the Permanent Office of OCMW Langemark-Poelkapelle. “By working together within a welfare association, we preserve the public character and strengthen our effectiveness.”