Practical information

1 visitor is allowed at the day hospital.

One person is allowed to accompany the patient during the consultation.

Of course, if the person accompanying the patient has symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle pain or fever, then he or she cannot come with you to our hospital.

Ask for your prescription for medication during the consultation with the physician or contact your GP. They can put the prescription on your identity card (e-ID).

Report this to the secretariat. They can help you further.

Patients and visitors are no longer required to wear a face mask. Of course, everyone is free to still wear a face mask, if desired.

Documents

• identity card
• Blood type card
• Name and telephone number for one contact person

Personal

• If applicable, the medication that you take during the day
• Comfortable clothing (you do not need to bring toiletries, pyjamas and/or a robe)
• Something to read: a book, a magazine
• Valuables or large amounts of money are better left at home (our hospital is not responsible for loss or theft)

Registration

Always register at the reception desk for the Oncology and Therapy Day Hospital.

You do not need to come having fasted, unless otherwise indicated. You can simply eat breakfast in the morning. The treatment will be started after drawing a blood sample. Depending on the blood test result and the physician authorisation, the treatment will start the next day. While the cytostatics is being administered, we will not leave the department.

Your stay

• All the rooms are equipped with a radio and television. You may also use your mobile in the day hospital.
• Your partner or a family member is welcome to come to the day hospital. We keep the number of people limited to keep the space calm and quiet for everyone.
• Patients from the Oncology and Therapy Day Hospital receive a (free) meal. The meal is offered only upon your request.
• During your admission, you may expect a visit from the attending physician in order to discuss any problems you may be having and/or to receive prescriptions for any required medication. How long exactly you need to stay at the day hospital depends on the administration schedule for the scheduled chemotherapy and can vary from a few hours to a full day.

Discharge

As soon as all the scheduled care has been administered, you may leave the hospital. Before you leave, stop by the reception desk of the Oncology and Therapy Day Hospital to book an appointment for the next treatment or check-up. After a visit to the day hospital, you may drive a vehicle, unless otherwise agreed upon.

The invoice will be sent at the end of the month following your treatment:

• Chemotherapy is, in principle, free.
• A co-payment is charged for other additional medications, care materials and any additional tests required (X-rays, large blood draws, etc.)
• The mandatory health insurance fund pays a kilometre reimbursement for the distances that you, as a patient, must travel between house and hospital. All oncology patients have the right to this kilometre reimbursement. On the treatment end, you will receive a form with all the dates, signed and stamped by the attending physician. You may request this form from the ICG Secretariat.
• All of our patients receive a parking voucher at a reduced rate (€1.00). Whoever does not have their own transportation or is able to have a friend or family provide transportation may inquire with our Social Services about volunteer transportation services. Please ask a nurse about this service.

Please bring the following things with you for your hospital admission:

• Administrative papers (identification card, hospitalisation insurance papers, etc.)
• Medical paperwork (referral letter/documentation - labs, X-ray images - from your GP, blood type card, information about allergic reactions, current medication list)
• Personal items (e.g. toiletries, pyjamas, closed-toe shoes, book to read)
• Valuables or large amounts of money are better left at home (our hospital is not responsible for loss or theft)

Where to register

• Admissions at the A&E Department
• For a scheduled admission, you may go to the registration desk or one of the six kiosks. Your electronic identification card (e-ID) will be read there. You will receive a number that will be projected on to the television screen in the registration waiting room. Patients who do not have an e-ID will also receive a number. When your number appears on the screen, go to the indicated registration desk. Your reservation will be confirmed and you will be registered.
• You may choose from two room types:
  - two-person room
  - one-person room

Your choice of room in no way affects the quality of individual care.

Physician rounds

The physicians work together with the multidisciplinary team member to provide your care during the hospital admission. Each day, someone from the medical team completes rounds on all the rooms. During rounds, we try to provide as much information as possible about your medical condition and its management. Never hesitate to ask for additional information during these round visits.

The price of the room (called nursing day price) is paid by the NIHDI, the co-payments (patient's personal share) and additional hotel costs remain the patient's responsibility. If you choose a single room, you will be charged a supplement. This choice of room may be associated with higher physicians' fees. A list with the maximum fee supplements per physician is available in the Admissions Department.

If you have specific questions about your invoice and your admission, please contact our Billing or Invoicing Department.

The shuttle bus leaves Maria Middelares General Hospital at 7am. This morning drive is only for patients who are still expected at the Maria Middelares General Hospital day hospital for additional treatment after radiotherapy. Other patients may take the shuttle bus at 10.15am.

Patients who wish to ride along are asked to gather in the atrium (on the round right opposite the shop) 5 minutes before departure.

Please note: the bus only runs between Maria Middelares General Hospital and Groeninge general hospital. There is no stop at St Vincent General Hospital in Deinze.

Those travelling on the shuttle bus can park in the visitor car park of Maria Middelares General Hospital or in one of the reserved car parks (6 in total). They are located under the pedestrian bridge between the tower parking lot and the hospital. Please place the special parking ticket on the front of the car if you park in one of the reserved parking spaces. You will be given this special parking ticket after your first consultation at Groeninge General Hospital.

On the shuttle bus, you will receive a free parking ticket for the car park of Maria Middelares General Hospital.

Would you like to use the shuttle bus? Please let us know at your first consult with the radiation therapist at the Maria Middelares General Hospital. Groening General Hospital in Kortrijk will take care of any other planning.