Isala will invest 38 million euros in acute care in the hospitals of Meppel and Zwolle. Care is being expanded at the location in Meppel, while a new building is being added in Zwolle.
The expansion of healthcare in Meppel has already started. Since last month, older people have been able to go to hospital to be treated for a broken hip.
From January 1, stroke care will also be expanded. In the new year, emergency doctors will be on duty seven days a week, 24 hours a day. At the beginning of last year, Isala closed the emergency department for three months due to a shortage of physician assistants.
Isala’s investment is being made because the hospital sees additional demand for care in the regions of Meppel and Zwolle. This is due to the aging population, but also to population growth and new construction plans.
To increase capacity in Zwolle, the hospital is being expanded with an additional building. Plans for this will start next year.
“In Meppel, as a basic hospital in the Drenthe region, it is important that acute care is well organized and available 24 hours a day. This strengthens the capacity of emergency care for patients throughout the region,” says Michèle Blom, chairman of the board of directors of Isala.
Mayor Cees Bijl reacts happily to the investment. “The hospital in Meppel is an important facility for our municipality. The fact that Isala will expand existing care means a lot for current and future residents in this municipality and the surrounding region. Isala’s regional function is becoming increasingly important.”