BSPHO cosigns a letter to Belgian policymakers

BSPHO co-signs, with 30 organizations, an open letter calling on Belgian policymakers to act on hospital reform.

Every year, around 20.000 people in Belgium receive a rare cancer diagnosis requiring highly specialized care. The science is clear: higher treatment volumes and greater expertise lead to better outcomes.

Yet today, too many hospitals treat rare and complex cancers. Treatments are fragmented. Quality gaps persist. Patients pay the price.

We are calling for a care model built on one principle:
· Care close to home where possible
· Centralized care where necessary

This means:
· Complex treatments consolidated in reference centers with proven expertise· Specialized multidisciplinary teams for rare cancer diagnosis and treatment planning
· Stronger collaboration between reference centers, other hospitals, and primary care
· Patients as full partners in their care, with access to clear information and reliable transport
· Transparent accreditation criteria, quality monitoring, and public reporting of results

The hospital reform and the new Cancer Plan are a real opportunity to embed these principles into policy. Without clear decisions, the system stays fragmented and unequal, especially for those who need it most.

Not tomorrow. Now.