New Rotterdam Eye Hospital comes next to Franciscus Gasthuis

Rotterdam Jan. 16, 2024 – The board of directors of The Rotterdam Eye Hospital, in coordination with the Coöperatie Medici Eye care Rotterdam (CMOR), has taken the decision to work out the future accommodation and intention to cooperate at location Franciscus Gasthuis of Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland.

Departure Schiedamse Vest

Social developments and the wishes of The Rotterdam Eye Hospital to respond even better to the changing needs and wishes of our patients require new accommodation. In the coming years, the Eye Hospital will focus even more on the most complex eye care and research. In addition, the hospital will also continue to offer high quality basic care. Among other things, this broad offer is important for the training of future ophthalmologists. Also, the large patient group ensures that we can continue to conduct scientific research to continually improve the quality of care.

“We want to continue to provide the best eye care to our patients in a sustainable environment that is equipped for future developments and even more focused on collaboration. And that is not possible in the current building on the Schiedamse Vest, even with very costly and extensive renovations,” said Yvonne Koppelman, chairman of the board of directors.

An extensive preliminary process

The decision to build new premises follows extensive explorations together with internal and external stakeholders and advisors. Health insurers have also been intensively involved in this process. The Eye Hospitals largest health insurers, Zilveren Kruis, VGZ, CZ and DSW, have spoken out in favor of maintaining concentrated eye care under the roof of an independent categorical eye hospital and have expressed their willingness to financially support the necessary new accommodation. Martin Groenenberg, senior manager healthcare procurement Zilveren Kruis: “In the Integral Care Agreement, parties have committed themselves to working together towards a future-proof healthcare infrastructure in the region. This requires care and good planning. From the beginning, constructive talks were held between health insurers and The Eye Hospital, resulting in a nice step towards future-proof accommodation, good cooperation in the region and accessible eye care.” During the explorations, conversations were held by The Eye Hospital with surrounding hospitals about the possibilities of new construction on site and the possibilities of intensifying cooperation.

Yvonne Koppelman: “In recent months we have had very constructive and pleasant discussions with fellow hospitals in Rotterdam. This resulted in serious and very nice options. It was therefore certainly not an easy choice. In the end, the preference went to Franciscus and I am very grateful to the colleagues of the fellow hospitals for their efforts, thinking along with us, trust and patience. The existing good cooperation within the Rijnmond region and beyond will of course continue, despite the proposed move.”

Why location Franciscus Gasthuis

Franciscus’ future building developments offer additional opportunities to encourage synergy through joint construction. Think for example of using each other’s facilities, spaces and facilities. In addition, Franciscus is familiar territory for The Eye Hospital because CMOR’s ophthalmologists have already been working at the Franciscus Ophthalmology Department for years. “The intended collaboration with The Eye Hospital fits our strategy as a top clinical teaching hospital with plenty of room for research and training and a focus on regional collaboration. In addition, the arrival of The Eye Hospital gives a further boost to the development of the Groot Franciscus area,” said Peter-Willem van Lindenberg, member of the board of directors.

The Rotterdam Eye Hospital will not become part of Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland. It will remain an independent hospital where the categorical character of eye care will remain safeguarded. In the elaboration of the plans, it will also be investigated together with Franciscus to what extent there is a need among patients to continue to offer eye care in several outpatient clinics, as already happens for example in the center of Rotterdam by our optometrists.

The next few years

Koppelman: “In the coming years, The Eye Hospital will continue its activities on the Schiedamse Vest as our patients have been used to from us for years. Meanwhile, we are working together with Franciscus on our future. Both on the opportunities that lie ahead in the field of cooperation and the further development, design and construction of the accommodation. The expectation is that The Eye Hospital will not move to its new location until 2030.”

Source: The Rotterdam Eye hospital