New healthcare network created by four hospitals in and around Brussels

Four major frontline hospitals in and around Brussels have fused to create one hospital network. They are Saint-Luc University Hospital, Cliniques de l’Europe and Clinic Saint-Jean in Brussels, and Clinique Saint-Pierre in Ottignies.

Counting 12,000 health professionals (including 2,000 doctors) and 3,000 beds, the new structure encompasses seven hospital sites and seven polyclinics across the capital and neighbouring provinces of Brabant Walloon and Flemish Brabant.

The aim of the new network is to guarantee patients a complete healthcare offer close to home, reports RTBF.

“This union perpetuates and guarantees the existing exchange for the training of future doctors and healthcare specialists and professionals,” announced the four hospitals in a press release on Monday.

By integrating services, the network plans on reinforcing its national and international position at the heart of Europe.

Research and medical innovation will also be encouraged thanks to the academic work at Saint-Luc University Hospital and its relationship with the catholic university UCLouvain.

The network represents 250,000 hospitalisations, 70,000 surgical interventions, 1,800,000 consultations and 7,500 births.

The fusion follows public sector rationalisation plans drawn up the Belgian chamber in February. Each hospital has to be part of a single clinical network by January 1. Four networks are due to be set up in Brussels, 13 in Flanders and eight in Wallonia.

Photo: Thierry Roge/BELGA