Heerlen municipality responds to media reports about Zuyderland
Health Minister Fleur Agema was in Heerlen today to talk with the boards of Zuyderland and health insurer CZ. The Lower House had asked her to ensure that the birth center, intensive care and emergency room would remain in Heerlen. The minister today made her "ultimate attempt" to achieve this. It was discussed that the drawings of the new building in Heerlen will take into account a possible different staffing situation. The possibility of a maternity hotel in Heerlen is also being investigated, and whether transportation from Heerlen can be arranged for people on a tight budget.
Mayor Wever van Heerlen: “Formally, we have not been informed in any way about this morning’s conversation up until now. To say the least, it is a remarkable course of events, if not inappropriate. Everything I know about the conversation with Agema I have read in the media, my reaction is therefore a reflection on what can be read there.”
Wever continues: “Minister Agema says that she will do ‘everything she can’ to make the South Limburg region attractive to people. Let me start by saying that it is always good when investments are made in the region. At the same time, it remains crucial for a region with 300,000 inhabitants that the IC, ER and birth centre are retained. I simply cannot do anything else about that – even after today.”
Flexible building plan
Agema wants to invest in the region so that people settle here and the staff problems are solved. Hence the flexible construction plan. Wever about this: “Beautiful words, but now make it concrete! We have always offered to work together on this. Now accept that offer, Zuyderland, and really start talking to us so that we can solve the staff shortage together!”
Alderman Arlette Vrusch: “We also expect investments from the government. For example, can the government change the number of medical students who are allowed to start each year, so that we have more (ER) doctors in the future? And can we, together with hospitals, broaden and innovate healthcare training courses, so that our outstretched hand with local educational institutions also has a concrete follow-up? All in all, sufficient reason to continue with actions. That is why we, together with the hospital alliance, will demonstrate next Friday, October 18, at the head office of health insurer CZ in Tilburg.”