‘Make Bravis Bergen op Zoom a corona hospital for the south-west of the Netherlands’
In the municipality of Reimerswaal and Tholen, an important part of the residence is at the hospital in Bergen op Zoom. In 2019, the management of Bravis announced that the new building will be near Roosendaal, along the A58. That is fifteen kilometers more spent from the current hospital. That will go “to the last stone”, says the hospital management, to make the new building possible. The vacant land is sold.
Don’t let a bed go to waste
Pure destruction of capital, according to Bergse council politician Ton van Dorst (GBWP) who stands up for the interests of Zeeland. “We must not abandon our Zeeland neighbors,” he says. He has other plans for the building. For example, the vacant complex with IC department could be set up as a regional corona hospital. “The pandemic is not over for the time being,” he expects, and Van Dorst expects Covid-19 to be here to stay in our society.
“New virus mutations will emerge, with peak times when additional hospitalizations are expected.” This month, the Bergse city council will vote on its proposal to write to the House of Representatives with the request to stop the sloop. “Precisely at this time, no bed should be lost.”
Also as a basic facility
Councilor Olaf Buteijn of CDA Reimerswaal also believes that the building should be preserved. Not only for the reception of corona patients, but especially as a basic facility for the region. “Certainly for emergency care, where every second counts, a nearby hospital is vital.” In particular, the CDA has already asked critical questions about the accessibility of Bravis, both in the States faction and in the municipal councils of Tholen and Reimerwaal.