Collaboration is key
Elies Lemkes, deputy for agriculture, food, soil and general prosperity in the province of North Brabant, was also a guest at the conference. The province of North Brabant is one of the Embassy of Health partners. “There is still so much to change. We will not succeed if we continue to think in terms of the current systems,” said Lemkes at the time. She sees digitisation and automation in healthcare as a great development that can help reduce the pressure.
In addition to the conference, there were also other Embassy of Health events during DDW. For example, attendees could sign up for the Social Sports School Bootcamp. The concept is for athletes to exercise with the elderly in a wheelchair or with a walker. Thus, in addition to physical activity, there is also a social component. Design Innovation Group (DIG) also organised a talk about the Lineaire Lusten Rehabilitation Clinic, the rehab clinic for leaders of the old economy. This mainly focuses on the mental transition to a circular and sustainable society.
Next year, the Embassy of Health and all affiliated partners will dive deeper into the changing healthcare system and all the specifics and challenges that come with it. Van Bergeijk: “I think it is very important to devote proper time and attention to examining your surroundings. And that you know you have a safety net if things go downhill physically or mentally. It takes time and attention to build that up and to really look after each other, but the benefits of doing so are invaluable. I think that is the key to health.”