Our Heart Centre turns 30 on 1 April

On 1 April 2022, our Heart Centre at the Maria Middelares General Hospital turns 30 years old.

Dr Frank Provenier, Department Head for Cardiology: ‘For thirty years, the Heart Center at the Maria Middelares General Hospital, which offers cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology and cardiac surgery, has been committed to high-tech and innovative care. New opportunities arise every day to provide our patients with high-quality care and greater comfort in life. We’ve always been able to rely on an outstanding team of passionate physicians and dedicated healthcare staff during these three decades. This collaboration and positive work environment is important to us as care providers and, of course, to the patient.’

In 1992, the hospital was ready to begin operating the Heart Centre. Networking was key and led to close cooperation with the cardiology departments of the then St Vincent Hospital in Ghent, StVincent General Hospital in Deinze and De Honte Hospital (later Zorgsaam) in Terneuzen.

During these past thirty years, hospital networks formed, with the primary goal of more strictly streamlining the cardiac care plan. Today, the Heart Centre at the Maria Middelares General Hospital in Ghent is part of the E17 Hospital Network, together with Groeninge General Hospital in Kortrijk, the Glorieux Ronse General Hospital, Saint Elisabeth General Hospital in Zottegem, Saint Jozef Clinic in Izegem, O.L.V. van Lourdes Hospital in Waregem and St Vincent General Hospital in Deinze.

‘Consultation between the partners in the care process is a necessary condition - ensuring daily patient meetings, cardiac-cardiac-surgical staff, and interactions with consultants. That way, the patient gets the best chance for an optimal outcome.’