Ontzorgen in de VVT Zorg
Problem Context
The increasing pressure on the Dutch healthcare sector, caused by the double aging of the population, is leading to a widening gap between care demand and available staff. Policy measures encourage independent living at home, which aligns with clients' preferences but simultaneously creates new logistical and organizational challenges. The transition from care institutions to home care requires small-scale home deliveries of care supplies and services, resulting in more transport movements, higher costs, and a heavier burden on caregivers. There is a need for a system that balances both client preferences and caregiver workload.
Approach
Within the "Onzorgen" (Care Relieving) project, a regional care system is being developed in which care, goods, and services are coordinated in an integrated manner. The approach involves mapping client preferences, caregivers' work experiences, and opportunities for task redistribution. A central role is reserved for caregivers who take over non-care-related tasks such as delivering supplies. In addition, research is being conducted into how deliveries can be bundled and routes optimized to reduce transport movements and CO₂ emissions.
Expected Results
The project will result in the development of a regional control center that supports real-time, data-driven decision-making within the healthcare ecosystem. This center will facilitate the collaborative management of care, goods, and services chains, taking into account chain constraints and the preferences of stakeholders.
Expected concrete results include:
• Reduced workload for healthcare providers through smart task allocation
• Better coordination of care moments with client preferences
• Reduction of transport movements and emissions
• A digital control center for data-driven decision-making
The solutions will be tested in practical pilots with project partners, in preparation for broader implementation.
Consortium Logic
The consortium consists of healthcare organizations, suppliers, knowledge institutions, and a network organization. This combination brings together practical experience, data expertise, and innovation capacity. This multidisciplinary collaboration bridges the gap between research and implementation, increasing the applicability and support for the developed solutions.
