By making healthcare councils think about their strategy, goals and actions, the government wants to actively strengthen their operations. A policy plan is a lever to do that. VIVEL supported this with the guidance program EHBB - First Aid for Policy Plan. After a word of explanation by staff member Lie Verrijssen and coordinator Sjoert Holtackers, we would also like to let the care councils have their say. The coordinators of first-line zone Scheldekracht, first-line zone Leuven and first-line zone Westkust Polder talk about their experience with the trajectory.
ELZ Scheldekracht
"Within the Primary Care Zone Scheldekracht, after the COVID crisis, we felt very strongly the need to sharpen our strategy via a policy plan, to start redefining our identity. What do we stand for? Where do we want to make a difference? How can we do that?
Policy planning is not an obvious process, and certainly not for a network organization with many stakeholders such as healthcare councils. We were able to count on help from VIVEL during this process. First of all, we received support with the environment analysis. This was done through guidance moments, a template, 1-on-1 feedback... This was very helpful for us. We had a sounding board, got confirmation,...
Once again, we were able to count on VIVEL for the preparation ofthe policy plan. We had two digital conversations to review together where we already stood and what we could do further in the process of policy planning. VIVEL also helped us with the development of a forum in which the policy plan was central. Their presence there was definitely appreciated and supportive. Fresh methodologies provided a different and exciting wind.
The great thing is that we really looked at each care level individually. Where are they already, which way do they still have to go and how can we support them? In short, absolutely flexible, tailored and refreshing!"
Eline Beddeleem - Coordinator Honorary Zone Scheldekracht vzw
ELZ Leuven
"After an intake meeting, VIVEL took a whole afternoon to sit down with us, think with us and contribute expertise. We were especially supported in preparing a roadmap to gather input for the policy plan.
We had little time to accomplish all this, so the EHBB process had great value for us. VIVEL helped us get things clear and put them into a realistic plan of action. Our plan was still ambitious, but VIVEL's support ensured that it was achievable.
So together we ran a very nice participatory process within our zone. A result we are quite proud of: we did desk research and interviews with stakeholders, and were advised and supported in the process. We then organized a participation evening with PZON and stakeholders, and a Grand Café where we invited people from the wide field to link actions to the operational objectives.
What specifically did we take away from this process? We were introduced to useful tools such as Microsoft Sway, which we still use today to work participatively without overcharging people. The writing tips from the course at the VIVEL Academy also proved useful, both for ourselves and the directors. Above all, what we learned is that we can be ambitious, but must remain realistic(laughs).
We really like this kind of track, with a mix of personal contact and general webinars. So we think this is a great example of the kind of support VIVEL can provide to healthcare councils."
Hendrikje Huysmans, coordinator first-line zone Leuven
ELZ West Coast Polder
"Because a municipality is leaving our frontline zone, West Coast Polder is currently fully committed to a transition plan. VIVEL supported us in drawing it up.
Twice, employees came to distant West Flanders to join a care council meeting, to which we invited multiple stakeholders from different fields. This was greatly appreciated: not only by me as coordinator, but also by administrators who are a bit further away from the daily operations. For them too, VIVEL's support became tangible in this way. They 'experienced' that VIVEL takes this task to heart.
By the way, VIVEL doesn't just sit at the table to observe and answer questions, but thinks with us, gives concrete advice and is thus part of the whole. They really listen, and we know we can come to you: that's important to us. We also got useful tips from the webinars."
Birgit Hendrikx, first-line coordinator West Coast Polder Zone
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