Regional Strategic Planning of Care in Flanders based on population needs

Abstract

Introduction: In 2014, Flanders started a process of re-designing the hospital care. This has led let to the recognition of 13 networks of hospitals in 2020. 
 Simultaneous we developed a framework for a Regional Strategic Care Plan (RSCP). The RSCP starts from demographic data and health indicators to determine future needs to which the future supply of the network must be tailored. The networks are asked to make such a RSCP for their network.
 Target: The increase in ageing, multimorbidity, complex disorders, chronic care,… require a new relationship between hospitals and between hospitals and other healthcare providers. With the RSPC we want to match the hospital care to the needs of the population, in consultation with other healthcare providers. More attention will go to task differentiation and new partnerships.
 The main principle has to be that basic care is organised close to the people, whereas more specialised care recruits from a wider environment. All healthcare providers will have to change from a supply-driven organisation of care towards person-centred care based on needs.
 Design: Studies on future population needs, on an optimal spread of the care offer and to create a framework for RSPC, based on future needs, actual demografic figures, …., were executed by a consortium of Deloitte and the Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy.
 A computermodel was developed to visualise patient flows and to determine logical cooperation.
 The main goal of RSPC:
 
 Stimulate person-centred care
 Stimulate cooperation and networking between hospitals and with other healthcare providers
 Concentration of expertise and restricting the high-tech care supply
 Expenditure should match the current financial context and achieve a health-economic justifiable offer.
 
 Execution: At the moment the hospital networks are developing their RSPC based on the models that are provided to them. This is an intensive process in which the result must also be coordinated with other partners in the region. The RSPC will be evaluated by a committee consisting of representatives of hospitals, primary care and academics.
 Results: Based on the first plans sumitted, we see that the hospital networks will tailor their offer to the needs of the population and that they consult with other care partners in the region. It encourages hospitals to think about their future role and how it is fulfilled. The doctors are also involved to develop a long-term vision.
 On average, acute beds will be reduced by about 7%.
 Lessons learned: It is important to provide hospitals with a framework on which to base themselves to tailor their future offerings to the needs of the population and to encourage them to think about this.
 The division of powers between the federal government and the regions makes it difficult for hospitals to make choices.
 Next steps: Evaluate the current framework to see if improvements can be made and the model can be updated. Certainly in terms of the involvement of other care partners, additional incentives must be given.