There are major problems in the care sector in Brabant. The pressure on general practitioners, nursing homes and hospitals seems to be too great in the coming years. That is the opinion of Bart Berden, chairman of the Regional Consultation Acute Care. “We want to avoid going back to a situation like during corona. Then sick patients even had to go to Germany. Nobody wants that.”
Berden has conducted research into the state of affairs in healthcare in Brabant. He is shocked by the results. “In ten years’ time, the staff shortage in hospitals will be ten percent. And twenty percent for nursing homes,” says Berden. “At the same time, we see that the number of GP visits will increase by ten percent and visits by thirty percent. That combination creates enormous problems.”
Last year, it happened forty times in our province that the emergency department of a hospital was closed due to staff shortages. Berden calls that harrowing, but according to him it will happen more often if nothing changes.
One of the major problems that increases the pressure on healthcare is the aging population. More and more elderly people rely on care, while there is not enough staff. Moreover, Brabant has many labor migrants, who also knock on the door of the hospital or the doctor.
“Parents don’t like that, but it’s no different.”
To solve the problems with huge waiting lists, Berden wants to place more tasks with municipalities and people themselves. For example, lonely elderly people now often call their GP. More facilities are needed for that. “I’m thinking of a role for the library or places where people can meet.”
In addition, maternity care needs to be overhauled. New parents are entitled to 24 hours of maternity care at home, but according to Berden in Brabant, this can no longer be guaranteed. Berden wants more maternity hotels. “Then the maternity assistant no longer has to travel and she can assist five or more women,” he explains. “Parents don’t like that, but it’s no different.”
“It’s taking too long.”
Berden also believes that management in care centers can be improved. A coordination center must make visible where there is room for patients. “If hospital care is no longer necessary, it must be immediately clear which nursing home is available. Now the department has to call around first. During that time they cannot provide care. And it takes far too long, which means that beds are occupied unnecessarily,” explains Berden.
Berden is sounding the alarm because he thinks that care cannot be properly guaranteed in the future. In the coming months, he will sit down with healthcare providers and health insurers to write a complete plan of action.