Ghent: (Brussels Morning) – Vera De Vleesschauwer a doctor had to close her clinic due to construction work and traffic issues despite her efforts to find a solution. She feels sad about the closure and worries about letting her patients down.
Vera De Vleesschauwer worked as a doctor for ten years caring for her patients in her own clinic. She had to close her clinic due to circumstances beyond her control. Now she works at a different job but still feels sad about closing her clinic. She regrets having to make that tough choice and worries that she let her patients down. She said that it was a very emotional and difficult decision for her because she cared deeply for her patients.
Ghent Doctor’s Struggle to Keep Clinic Open Despite Logistical Hurdles
Vera De Vleesschauwer mentioned that myhouse is just 600 meters away from my clinic on Aakstraat. Usually i could cross the intersection but due to construction work there’s a sign saying you can’t. So now i have to take a long 18-kilometer detour via R4 to Wippelgem turn around there and then come back to my clinic. Even though i asked many times they didn’t let me pass through. People still drive through despite the sign. I told the city of Ghent but they didn’t do anything. The city says they can’t remove the sign because it would make things unsafe. Patients had trouble reaching my clinic and they couldn’t park there due to a ban. Contractors took up a lot of space. My income dropped so i closed the clinic for logistical reasons and to get a closing bonus.
De Vleesschauwer tried many times to talk and make deals to save her clinic but it didn’t work out. When she closed it she got a bonus to help financially. They stopped giving her that bonus last month. The Flemish government decided the clinic should be open again even though the problems that caused it to close are still there. Stopping the bonus has made things even harder for De Vleesschauwer as she deals with the aftermath of closing her beloved clinic.
Why is the Ghent Doctor Struggling to Keep Her Clinic Open Despite Logistical Challenges?
The doctor says that the rules for giving out the closing bonus don’t match what’s really happening. She points out the gap between official rules and the everyday problems like the traffic mess and long detours. The doctor tried many times to meet with the authorities even inviting them for coffee chats but no one showed up. She thinks decisions about her clinic are made without really knowing what it’s like there just based on paperwork.
The shop owner is having a tough time because of no parking and lots of traffic scaring away customers. VLAIO decided the situation doesn’t qualify for extra help. The owner feels really upset and hopeless. They said not getting the support is like a death sentence for their business. They said that how much the parking and traffic problems are hurting their business and how alone they feel in this tough situation. The doctor couldn’t reach her clinic directly because of a no-entry sign on the street. The city and authorities blamed each other and no real solution was found.
