The N-VA proposes the “Language in Hospitals” action plan

MPs Gilles Verstraeten (Brussels), Annabel Tavernier (Flanders) and Sigrid Goethals (federal parliament) have drawn up an action plan on language in Brussels hospitals. The tragic incident of the death of baby Cisse from Roosdaal in a Brussels hospital is the straw that broke the camel’s back for them. “This problem has been dragging on for far too long; we have raised it repeatedly at all levels. Enough is enough. Time for action,” they say.

Gilles Verstraeten has been working on the issue in the Brussels Parliament for some time. “It is an old problem that is just not improving due to the unwillingness of the Brussels political caste and the lack of ambition among hospital administrators. We have already proposed a Brussels action plan ourselves, but that was unfortunately voted down. Also by the Flemish majority parties Groen, Open Vld and Vooruit, by the way.”

Language action plan in every hospital and bilingual ambulances

Verstraeten wants a detailed language action plan in every Brussels hospital. “The funds are available, because the Brussels government provides subsidies for this. But they are not being used effectively. Every hospital must map out and know exactly what the language skills of their staff are, constantly monitor changes in this, and oblige those who are not proficient in one of the two national languages to undergo training. The expectations set for staff must be crystal clear.” 

He has the same concern regarding paramedics: “The law now requires that at least one Dutch speaker must be present on every MUG (mobile emergency service) and ambulance. But only 30% of the Brussels Emergency Medical Assistance Service staff is Dutch-speaking, so ambulances even set off to the Flemish periphery with not a single Dutch speaker on board. Either the number of Dutch speakers must increase, or the French speakers simply must take a language course,” he adds.

Flanders at the table

As a Brussels resident in the Flemish Parliament, Annabel Tavernier closely follows the Flemish Parliament’s language policy: “We are really doing the absolute maximum from Flanders; we have developed learning tools and tailor-made courses, but if the Brussels hospitals don’t want to participate and the Brussels government doesn’t do anything either, there is not much point.” As far as she’s concerned, Flanders must therefore be given a seat at the table: “In principle, as a Flemish minister, Benjamin Dalle (CD&V party) has the right to sit at the Brussels government table on community matters, such as healthcare! But that is not happening today. If Elke Van den Brandt (Groen party) does not comply with her health authority and leaves everything to Alain Maron (Ecolo party), then no one will defend Dutch speakers and Flemish people in Brussels or from the periphery!”

Meldpunt Taalklachten

She also believes that the complaints mechanism must be stepped up and awareness of it raised: “There is already the Vlaams Meldpunt Taalklachten (Flemish language complaints notification centre), but few people know about it. In fact, there should be a sign at the entrance and in the emergency department of every hospital: “These are your rights; you can file a complaint here.” People still hide behind the fallacy that there are few complaints, but many just never file a complaint. More people should be able to do that much more easily if their rights are not respected.”

Financial penalties for hospitals

Sigrid Goethals (MP), who is all too familiar with the problem as a resident of the Flemish periphery, states that the problem with the language legislation is the same every time: “If you don’t lay down penalties, you are actually allowing people to permanently flout the law.” According to her, there must thus be financial consequences in the federal legislation concerning hospitals. “You could use the Financial Resources Budget to reduce the financing of hospitals that do not make sufficient efforts for a sound language policy, and penalise them that way. However, we must ensure that this does not disadvantage the patient should the hospital then charge higher supplements,” she adds.

Everyone is authorised; no one is responsible

All three MPs agree: it is actually too silly for words that they have to monitor the matter on three different levels. “Everyone is authorised, but at the end of the day, no one is responsible,” they state. It is thus clear to them that another state reform is absolutely necessary. “There must be a simpler way. As far as we are concerned, the language communities must actually be fully competent for healthcare in all of its aspects. You see that if you leave it to the Brussels-Capital Region and the federal level, nothing happens or improves,” they conclude.