Three VWS ministers on working visit to Kerkrade

Outgoing Ministers Conny Helder (Long-term Health and Sport) and Pia Dijkstra (Medical Health) and outgoing State Secretary Maarten van Ooijen (Public Health, Welfare and Sport) paid a joint working visit to South Limburg yesterday. The region attracted their attention because of, among other things, the long history of cooperation, which is now bearing fruit. Mayor Petra Dassen-Housen, Deputy Marc van Caldenberg and Alderman Leon Geilen of the Municipality of Sittard-Geleen received the guests on behalf of Team South Limburg in the Sjevemethoes where various explanations were given. 

The ministers then visited De Steltloper childcare center. There Daphne Burgerhof, director of Flow, spoke enthusiastically about the challenges in child care. Liesbeth van Beek and Geert van Nuijs, director and director of neighborhood development at HEEMwonen, gave a glimpse of the Rolduckerveld neighborhood approach in which a number of residents told about their experiences. Besides the successes, the lessons learned in recent years were also discussed. And the ministers discussed what is needed to take the next step for better health and good Health in the region. 

South Limburg leader

South Limburg has a significant health gap compared to the rest of the Netherlands. Healthcare use is higher here, and combined with an aging population, the gap between healthcare demand and healthcare supply continues to widen. "About ten years ago, we realized that no one can solve this situation alone. We had a shared priority, and that was the starting point for a joint approach. Since then we have set a lot in motion," says Frank Klaassen, director of Public Health GGD Zuid-Limburg. "Think of the Trendbreuk program that focuses on prevention. This long-term approach deliberately focuses not only on (healthHealth, but also on other domains such as growing up, child care, education, work and living environment. Solutions must always be sought in the regional context. Precisely here, the prevention of health problems can contribute greatly to keeping Health accessible."

Course stability necessary

"The experiences South Limburg has gained in recent years are now coming in handy. They are valuable lessons, fitting within the movement initiated by the ministry with the national care agreements IZA (Integral Health Agreement), GALA (Healthy and Active Living Agreement) and the related program WOZO (Housing, Support and Health for the Elderly). If Zuid-Limburg has learned one thing, it is that a common course for the long term is necessary. This applies to both regional and national policy. We explained this to the VWS summit using examples such as the Plus practices. GPs in South Limburg have started working differently in recent years. By having a different conversation, patients are approached differently. And innovative solutions are deployed wherever possible. But at the heart of the change is the desire to learn from each other. A Plus Practice requires a different way of working. From general practitioners, but also from other parties in the district. A process that should not be underestimated, it takes time." 

South Limburg is well on its way, but we are not there yet. "We want to build on what has already been achieved," says Leon Geilen, Alderman Municipality of Sittard-Geleen, on behalf of Team South Limburg, as the collaborating organizations call themselves. "We do work together a lot, but we can do it more effectively. And cross-domain cooperation really is still a challenge. We have asked the ministers and state secretary to support us by fulfilling the necessary preconditions. This mainly involves implementing long-term, integrated policy (across ministries), ditto funding and direct involvement in our region."