Patient support
We offer guidance and support in various areas to make your hospital stay as comfortable as possible.
Contact
Patiëntenbegeleiding
Wat is de dienst patiëntenbegeleiding?
Our patient support service is here to make your stay as pleasant as possible by offering assistance in various areas. For any questions or concerns, you can always reach out to our patient support team or the social service department.
Services we provide
A confidential conversation with a social worker
You and your loved ones can contact our team of social workers for free and confidential support. We provide assistance in various areas, helping you find solutions, offering emotional support, and assisting with administrative and practical matters.
How can our social workers assist you?
- Support and guidance with psychosocial, relational, financial, or professional issues.
- Information and advice on accessing legal provisions for those who are ill or disabled.
- Assistance with transfer to a rehabilitation centre or care facility.
- Mediation and advice on home care options.
Our social workers are part of your care team. They work closely with intercultural mediators and the palliative support team within the patient support service.
Interpreter or intercultural mediator
At our hospital, non-Dutch-speaking patients can rely on the support of interpreters and intercultural mediators. They are the primary point of contact between healthcare providers, patients, and families who may not share the same language or cultural background.
Language assistance
At UZA, you can request language assistance by appointment. We work with external interpreting services, including STV (Social Interpreting and Translation for Integration and Citizenship) and Brussels Onthaal. Online interpreting via video call is also available. In urgent situations, we try to rely on multilingual staff or use phone-based interpreter services.
You can request an interpreter through your nurse or at the reception desk of the department where your consultation takes place.
Intercultural mediation
Receiving treatment in a foreign language can be challenging, especially when you and the healthcare team face socio-cultural differences. At UZA, you can rely on intercultural mediators. They not only bridge cultural gaps but also build trust and provide clarity for you, your family, and the UZA staff.
You can request an intercultural mediator through your doctor, nurse, or the department’s reception desk where your consultation takes place.
A listening ear or helping hand from a volunteer
Let us know if you need some company or a friendly chat. Our volunteers are happy to spend time with you and offer a listening ear. You can also take a walk with them or visit the shop or cafeteria in the entrance hall. If you are blind or visually impaired, you can rely on a volunteer for guidance and support.
Spiritual support visits
If you would like a visit from someone who shares your philosophical or religious beliefs, you can discreetly request this from the nurses in your department. You are welcome to join the ecumenical service, held every two weeks on Sundays and religious holidays at 10:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome.
Support for palliative care
At UZA, we offer comprehensive support for palliative care. Our palliative care team provides specialised care to manage pain and focuses on enhancing your quality of life and comfort. They can also support your loved ones.
Sensitive decisions for the future
When staying at the hospital you may need to make sensitive decisions, such as organ donation, body disposition, and advance directives. Our patient support service is here to provide you and your family with all the necessary information.
Support after the loss of a loved one
Losing someone is always difficult. For those left behind, it can be an emotionally challenging time, and there are often many practical matters to handle. We are here to offer you help and support during this difficult period.
Patient associations
Various patient associations and self-help groups are available to offer enhanced care and support. These groups connect individuals with shared experiences and can play a vital role in helping you accept and manage your condition.
Our dedicated care team is here to support you
Here you can find an overview of the healthcare professionals who are part of our team, along with their specific roles in the treatment and support of our patients.