Medical Delta looking back and forward: 'Until here and beyond'

'Until here and beyond' is the name of the new exhibition at Museum Voorlinden. The website says: 'How can we paint a hopeful picture for the future in these bizarre times? (...) 'Until here and beyond' shows how artists explore other paths. Thanks to their imagination, you yourself start to long for a new vista and want to contribute to change.'

As Medical Delta staff office, we visited the exhibition as a year-end event. The accompanying text to the exhibition sums up exactly what Medical Delta is about and stands for with the characteristics of reflection and looking forward. What have we accomplished so far? And how can we take the partnership further?

Benchmarks

Most scientific programs are halfway through their initial term and the recent midterm review showed as an important benchmark that the scientific programs are running well. A compliment to the researchers involved who sometimes dare to look far beyond their disciplines and actively seek collaboration to realize technological solutions for sustainable care.

The boards of colleges met for an evaluation of the Medical Delta Living Labs and we were pleased to see that they see the added value of active and concrete cooperation. This forms the ground to continue on this in the coming years.

The external review committee looked at the Medical Delta partnership as a whole and recently presented its preliminary findings and recommendations to the board and supervisory board. The added value of Medical Delta is recognized and acknowledged. There is also a need for Medical Delta collaborations in the coming years. Largely in the same form, but certainly also with new accents. As board, we will concretize those advices and recommendations in the coming year and convert them into future policy.

Need for transition

The 'care infarct' that was feared for years has now become reality in many segments. The climate crisis is also more urgent than ever and is forcing the healthcare sector in particular to make a radical change. An aging population, staff shortages, rising healthcare costs: it's here, and it's not going away for a while. All this calls for a transition.

Reflecting on our field as a whole, we cannot help but conclude that interdisciplinary collaboration and the cooperation between science and healthcare practice is more relevant than ever. The usefulness and necessity of Medical Delta's principles will only increase in the coming years.

Exploring other avenues: just as the artists in Museum Voorlinden want to take visitors 'further', we too are looking for new insights and innovations in our partnership. We look forward to doing the same with you again in 2023.

On behalf of the Medical Delta team, we wish you a good and healthy 2023!

David de Glint
Frank Willem Jansen
Board of Medical Delta