Belgium/An integrated health system for the inhabitants of Mons-Borinage

Since Friday 1 January 2021, the crèches, rest homes, assisted living facilities, community housing for seniors, the ACASA home help service and Télé-Assistance have been officially part of the intermunicipal association of the Mons-Borinage University Hospital and Psychiatric Centre (CHUPMB).

Marc Barvais, President of the intermunicipal association, believes that with the integration of these services, "We will now be able to accompany patients and families throughout their care pathway by ensuring the coordination of these services for greater efficiency and availability".

In its press release, the Ambroise Paré University Hospital emphasises that "this transfer will enable the Mons CPAS to focus on its primary missions, which are social and socio-professional integration, social support, social cohesion in the area, care for children in difficulty and emergency and transit accommodation".

Marie Meunier (PS), the President of the CPAS of Mons indicates that "The resumption ofthese services will allow the CPAS to have additional means to deepen and develop new fields ofactivity.The resumption of these services will provide the CPAS with additional resources to deepen and develop new areas of socio-professional integration, to renovate and extend the Cité de l'Enfance, the neighbourhood houses and the transit and emergency housing stock".

For the mayor of Mons, Nicolas Martin (PS) "Thanks to the financial strength of the group, the care of patients/beneficiaries will be even more complete and adapted to each particular case".

Reinforcement of the Senior and Early Childhood Divisions

On the Bouzanton site, the press release states that there is still a lack of crèche places to fully satisfy the needs of parents despite the opening of new ones last August.

"Thanks to the pooling of the CHUPMB crèche and the five CPAS crèches, we will be offering families extended opening hours and a variety of educational projects," points out Marc Barvais, who adds that "the aim is also to increase the number of places available in the coming years".

Home help and services

The communiqué notes that " as hospital stays are becoming shorter and shorter, it is vital to develop a support and monitoring system for the population in order to guarantee the best possible continuity of care".

For Marie Meunier "Thedevelopment of these services is essential, but the regional budgetary framework and the territorial limits imposed on the PCSW restrict its deployment. Therefore, we could not increase our offer in spite of the improving financial result of this activity".

The press release goes on to state that "Within the intermunicipality, ACASA (meals on wheels, social domestic help, family assistance) will be able to provide its services to the population of the entire territory of Mons and the many boroughs affiliated to it (Frameries, Colfontaine, Boussu, Quévy, Quaregnon, Saint-Ghislain) as well as Jurbise".

The figures

• 2 rest homes (Bonne Maison de Bouzanton and Résidence du Bois d'Havré): 301 places

• 1 serviced residence: 25 places

• 1 community house: 6 places
• 5 crèches (Nid douillet,Cité P'tit, Bébé Lune, crèche de Mons and crèche de Jemappes) : 211 places
• 1 home care and home support coordination centre (ACASA)
• More than 500 employees

Source: www.rtbf.be