IN PICTURE. This is what the renovated Torhout hospital will look like: “We are investing 100 million euros” (Torhout)

In the presence of Flemish Minister of Health Hilde Crevits (CD&V) and Mayor Kristof Audenaert (CD&V), the symbolic first stone of the next phase of the renovation of the Torhout hospital campus was laid on Thursday. The stone bears the handprints of several children from the nearby childcare center ‘t Mezennestje. “Just like them, our renovation project is in its infancy,” says Herman Annaert, construction director of AZ Delta. “Campus Torhout will grow into a modern campus with extensive basic care.” (Read more below the photo)

Now that the parking tower along Noordlaan has been completed – for the time being only staff can use it – the Torhout hospital campus is being further expanded into a so-called community based hospital. “On the one hand, it is close to the population of the wider Torhout region, with a wide range of consultations, diagnostics, basic care and continued care,” says Annaert. “On the other hand, it will also refer for specialized care to the Rumbeke campus or the city campus in Roeselare. The complete renovation will take approximately ten years. The campus remains fully operational during this time. The project will costs 100 million euros. The Flemish Government awards an annual amount of more than 1.4 million euros.”

In the new phase, the existing wing for consultations will be renovated and construction of the new main entrance on Noordlaan will start. Along Sint-Rembertlaan, at the current entrance, a prefab structure was built that will remain in place for five years and should minimize disruption during the works. The first consultations will take place from the spring of 2024. (Read more below the photo)

The existing building will be widened with a waiting and circulation boulevard. “This will enable smooth circulation in the hospital,” Annaert continues. “There will be spacious waiting areas for patients with a view of the courtyard. Part of the old building will then be demolished and rebuilt in combination with the construction of the new entrance along Noordlaan. The complete renovation and new construction of the entrance will last until approximately the end of 2028.” (Read more below the photo)

In the meantime, work has also been completed on the new logistics hub. “The new warehouse and waste park will be located next to the parking tower. In this way, we concentrate all logistics activities on the Noordlaan side so that Sint-Rembertlaan is relieved of heavy traffic. We expect the new logistics hub to come into service by mid-2024 at the latest.”

After the new building is put into use, the existing entrance will be renovated. In this phase, the forecourt in Sint-Rembertlaan will also get a new and greener appearance with a focus on slow road users. This phase also includes an expansion and renovation of the operating theatre, intensive care and a number of medical technical services.

READ ALSO. Hospital consultations will move to prefab construction in the next five years: AZ Delta invests 93 million euros in renovation of the Torhout campus