Kortrijk (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Sint-Jozefskliniek and AZ Groeninge will merge in 2026, creating one healthcare organization with two locations focused on basic and specialized care, respectively, to improve patient access and outcomes.
Starting January 1, 2026, the Sint-Jozefskliniek in Izegem and AZ Groeninge in Kortrijk will join to become one healthcare organization with a single management team. This merger comes after they have already worked together in areas like communication, IT, and human resources. Doctors from AZ Groeninge are seeing patients in Izegem and vice versa, which helps people get medical care more easily in both areas. The official merging will make these processes smoother, leading to a more effective and organized healthcare system.
How will the 2026 Merger of Sint-Jozefskliniek and AZ Groninge enhance patient care in Kortriik?
It has been said that the merger will help the hospitals work better together, making patient care easier and improving access to specialists. Patients can move between the two hospitals more easily, and having one management team will ensure that care is consistent. Even though the Sint-Jozefskliniek and AZ Groeninge will join forces, they’ll still keep their separate locations. The Sint-Jozefskliniek will mainly focus on providing basic care, like check-ups and general services, so they can meet the everyday healthcare needs of the community while being part of a larger organization.
The AZ Groeninge campus in Kortrijk will be a place for advanced and specialized medical care. It will focus on providing complex treatments and using the latest technology in different medical fields. The two hospitals will work together, allowing their medical teams to share knowledge and experiences. This teamwork will create a wider range of services, so patients at both locations can get specialized care when needed while still having access to basic care nearby.
Hospitals want to grow to handle new challenges like an aging population, finding enough healthcare workers, and keeping up with fast-changing technology. They promise that no jobs will be lost and that everyone is needed to help build a better future together. They plan to work together while respecting what makes each hospital special, believing that joining forces will help them face future challenges better than if they stayed separate.
