VieCuri transformation plans pass quick IZA test

IJsbrand Schouten - chairman of the board of directors of VieCuri

Hospital VieCuri has received the green light from health insurers VGZ and CZ for its transformation plan. This is an important step within the Integral Care Agreement (IZA), in which agreements were made to make healthcare future-proof. The "Zelf tenzij, thuis tenzij & digitaal tenzij" plan includes 15 projects with an investment of 11 million euros. "Passing the quick test is essential for the implementation of our care plans," said IJsbrand Schouten, VieCuri board chairman.

Thanks to the approval based on the quick test, VieCuri is closer to receiving transformation money, which is available through the IZA for renewal projects. The test assesses whether the plans are feasible and relevant and is a kind of declaration of intent. The final allocation of the funds follows the official approval of the detailed transformation plan.

What do patients notice?

Schouten explains that the projects are primarily aimed at giving patients more control and delivering care outside the hospital more often. "Especially the patients in the hospital are going to notice the benefits of this," he says. "It gives us room to give them the care and attention they deserve. We are faced with a growing demand for care, partly due to an aging population, while it is becoming increasingly difficult to find enough healthcare professionals. That is why we are organizing care differently. Precisely to maintain the care that does need to take place in the hospital."

"If admission is really necessary, the patient comes to the hospital, because a physical examination cannot be done via webcam. But if it can be done differently, we organize care in a different way. And that's where we help. For example, self-direction means that a patient schedules appointments himself or completes a questionnaire at home in advance. We also have conversations about preventing care by talking about a healthy(er) lifestyle or referring to partners in this area." Schouten emphasizes that VieCuri has an eye for less digitally proficient patients. "We understand that not everyone can handle digital resources. In such cases we help, and if digital care is not an option, we choose not to. We always look for the best solution together."

Digital remote care

Another important part of the plan is remote care. "We are already working with several apps and digital consultations, which means patients do not always have to come to the hospital. This provides convenience for the patient and reduces the pressure on our staff. VieCuri wants to further expand this digital care." Schouten emphasizes that the plan also looks at where care can best be delivered. "We evaluate per situation whether care should take place in the hospital, with a care partner or at home. Together with regional partners, we are investigating how to organize care more intelligently. Home treatment allows patients to be helped in their own environment, while making optimal use of hospital capacity."

Cooperation in the region

The cooperation with health insurers VGZ and CZ is of great importance for the transformation. Schouten: "The quick test shows how healthcare provider and healthcare insurer can strengthen each other. We have had open discussions about how we can innovate care within our region. This cooperation helps us to make the transformation sustainable." In addition, VieCuri works closely with
other healthcare institutions in the region. "We consult intensively within the Regional Administrative Consultation and the Regional Acute Care Consultation to ensure that all partners are on the same page. Cooperation is essential; we can't do this alone."

Toward implementation

Now that the quick test has been approved, VieCuri is ready for the next phase. "Now that we have passed the test, we can move forward with working out the full transformation plan and allocating the funds," Schouten said. The financial support that follows supports the 15 projects to future-proof healthcare in North Limburg. He concludes optimistically, "We have laid a solid foundation, as evidenced by the green light on the quick test. Now we can really move forward and transform healthcare in the region. It is a challenge, but we are ready for it."

VieCuri is the medical center for North Limburg and one of the 27 top clinical training hospitals in the Netherlands. The hospital provides care to over 120,000 patients per year and has over 3,000 employees at locations in Venlo and Venray.