Heusden-Zolder Hospital gets a new 5-storey building (Heusden-Zolder)

The free zone gets approval and can start with the construction of a completely new 5-storey wing connected to the existing building, where the maternity ward will also be renovated. The cost of the entire project is 45 million euros, of which 35 million euros are supported by Flanders. Works should be completed by the end of 2024.The hospital’s psychiatry department for acute care will be located on the first and ground floors of the new building. Christoph Vandingenen (Head of UK Department PAAZ) provided the necessary explanation. It includes a day care, a gym, and an outpatient garden for psychiatric patients. The day surgical hospital / pain center / MKA2 and endoscopy will be located on the first floor. The floor connects to the surgical hospitalization departments, operating rooms, sterilization department and the existing day hospital and has been designed and organized in such a way as to provide high quality care oriented to the utmost for a smooth and enjoyable patient operation. Here, Roel Vandenbergh (UK Department Head) and Dr. Jo Swinnen (Head of the Medical Department, Internal Gastroenterologist) provides the necessary explanations.Patient experiences should be central to the internist’s day hospital where chronic patients are primarily treated. So it is no coincidence that this department is located on the top floor where patients overlook the green surroundings. In addition, they offer various waiting and treatment rooms where patients can meet and share experiences. Finally, space is also made to find the necessary privacy and quiet. Roel Vandenbergh (Head of UK Department) and Dr. Anne Strolins (Head of the Medical Department provided the necessary explanation here). Housing the geriatrics department on the second floor of the new building, the two hospitalization departments will be placed on one contiguous floor with central treatment rooms and common areas. “This way we can motivate geriatric patients more than ever before to exercise and eat healthy, which is important for preventing frailty among the elderly,” according to geriatrician Dr. ) and Krista. Bogarts (Head of Geriatrics Unit UK 1).The maternity ward still resides to this day in the original building dating from 1985. It is a section in need of renovation. Here will be 5 fashionable and attractive delivery places. Each delivery room will be equipped with a shower and/or bathtub, emphasizing a spacious and light environment. The externally accessible maternity ward is also used to anticipate future collaborations with external midwives. Great Jansen (midwife) and Dr. Sven Schippers (Chief Medical Officer, Gynecologist) was very pleased with the renovation.Finally, he thanked Dr. Vanvolsim, MD, deputy medical director (and neurosurgeon) and Dr. Patricia Roots (Head of the Department of Medical Anesthesia) Minister Wouter Beck to obtain final approval for the construction of new infrastructure.