Context
A redesign of the hospital landscape has been underway for several years, exemplified by the creation of local hospital networks under the law of 29 February 2019 (see the policy analysis of 25 July 2022). Since early 2025, the debate surrounding hospital landscape reform has intensified. In response to key challenges, including the rise of outpatient care, low acute bed occupancy rates, fragmented services and staff shortages, the Interministerial Conference on Public Health of 24 March 2025 decided to establish a working group of independent experts tasked with developing in-depth recommendations for the future organization of hospitals.
Main purpose and tasks assigned to the group of experts
The group of experts will explore restructuring options guided by the principle: “local care when possible, centralised care when necessary.” This also includes defining the roles of institutions, improving infrastructure use and fostering hospital collaboration.
The initial focus will be on acute somatic care. Belgium has 103 general and academic hospitals, some with multiple sites. The group of experts will assess how to differentiate their missions and improve collaboration to enhance care quality and resource efficiency, while balancing geographic accessibility and care concentration.
If feasible, the mission of the experts group may also be expanded to
- include an evaluation of the current 25 local hospital networks to enhance inter-hospital cooperation,
- address the integration of acute, chronic, rehabilitation and mental health care,
- reflect on the organization of acute psychiatric care, including bed numbers and distribution, and
- address the optimization of patient care pathways.
Outcomes
A report with recommendations is expected by the end of 2025.