Pushing the boundaries for and with people with MS

To deliver the best possible care for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and together push the boundaries. That is the intention that drives Jan Kelders senior of Kelders Beheer and the specialist of the hospital Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis. Together they work on realizing an expertise center in Drunen. A new concept in the Netherlands that originated from an inspiring collaboration with the aim of combining high quality healthcare, innovation driven by entrepreneurs, and scientific research. Combined under one roof in a healing environment on a beautiful estate.

We have done extensive research with MS patients to find out what they wish for. A center specialized in MS where everything comes together: research and treatment, people and knowledge. In a place where you feel at home, where you don’t feel like a patient.

Jan Kelders senior and the hospital Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis have signed a letter of intent to advance the plans of moving the current expertise center and the MS unit of the rehabilitation center of the hospital to the soon-to-be established medical campus on Landgoed Steenenburg. The ambitious initiative of Jan Kelders senior is supported by the municipality of Heusden, council member Mart van der Poel and the province North-Brabant.

Close to restored Castle Steenenburg a medical center will be established. The new center will combine diagnostics (e.g. MRI scans and laboratory work), patient care (including infusion treatment and outpatient rehabilitation), scientific research, development and innovation in the field of MS.

Focus on people with MS
Multiple sclerosis has a big impact on the quality of life. MS patients often dot not only suffer physically but are as well affected psychologically and in their social life. Piet-Hein Buiting: chairman board of directors of JBZ: “We care about the people and their general wellbeing. To ensure that people with MS can continue to do what they want to do in their daily lives, we need to change the way we provide care and support. We need to work multidisciplinary, and we need to work closely together with the people in the patient’s network. By combining patientcare, lifestyle coaching, entrepreneurship and scientific research in one place we can provide an entirely new form of healthcare.”

Advancing MS care
Jan Kelders senior is closely related to the JBZ. He has collaborated on a wide range of projects such as the oncological center (MOC). His main motivation for the MS expertise center is the fact that his own daughter has multiple sclerosis. He has experienced firsthand what it means to live with MS. He shares the vision of the MS specialists and the board of directors of the JBZ to improve the care for MS patients by opening a medical campus. Jan Kelders senior: “Thanks to close collaborations with international and national researchers and innovative startups we can provide care following the latest development in the field of MS treatment. Together with the JBZ we will be able to advance the care for MS patients even quicker.”

Working for and with MS patients
In the next phase of the project the integration of the JBZ’S expertise center on campus will be developed further. Great emphasis is put on the input from people living with MS as they know best what type of care they need. Marcel Garssen, one of four MS neurologists at JBZ, is enthusiastic about the plans: “It is amazing to see how healthcare providers, scientists and businesses come together in this project. But most importantly that everything is built around the patients. They can keep control over their lives despite all physical, mental and other challenges. By structurally collecting data we continue to improve the provided care together with the patients and their loved ones. Thanks to the proximity innovative, scientific and care partners can contribute to the process. Together we want to push the boundaries for people with MS to improve their quality of life to the optimal level and keep it up.”

Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis
“We believe that you deserve health care that suits you, close-by and in a way that works for you. Together we determine what you need and who you need. We use all of our expertise to help you and we look for cooperation, for example with your family and friends, your GP, the municipality and home care. To make sure you can live the life you want as long as possible. That is what we stand for as Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis.”

Simply, because you matter to us.

The Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis in ’s-Hertogenbosch is a leading hospital with 630 beds and 4,000 employees. The 260 medical specialists within the hospital are organized in the Bossche Specialisten Coöperatie (BSC). Together with the BSC the hospital is responsible for providing medical care in the regions ’s-Hertogenbosch and Bommelerwaard.

More information
www.jeroenboschziekenhuis.nl