Interreg

On the one hand, the project “Care Connects” focused on the search for solutions to the problems of citizens, the insured and patients, and on the other hand, on the optimal use and economical deployment of care facilities. Current developments, such as the fast increase of chronic illnesses, growing interest in health and wellness, the expected shortage of skilled labour and demographic change, led to the urgent need to make use of the economic potential and at the same time, to respond to the social pressure in the border region.

The project´s strategy was to combine care and technology so that care could reach patients faster and better. Treatment and support from a distance is now possible due to the emergence of smart phones and apps. The different innovations promoted regional economic growth and created new jobs. The Euregio functioned as a field lab for innovations in the health care economy. The following (sub-)projects were implemented during the project’s life time:
– Cardiological distance-rehabilitation
– GOA – cross-border online treatment of arthritis
– Remote monitoring of blood pressure self-measurement
– Dental care for the elderly, for care takers and caring relatives
– Benchmark infection-prevention in surgery (due to lack of resources at VieCuri, this cluster was terminated at the end of 2017)
– NL/D hospital cooperation „Big helps Small“ (due to insufficient demand this cluster was terminated at the end of 2017)
– Depression treatment at a distance
– Care in rural border regions (Cara)
– Hospitals learn from each other; plastic surgery
– Oncocog; Psycho-Soma, Care at a distance
– AVM – Hospitals learning from each other

Additionally, matchmaking events, field labs and workshops were organized and coordinated. The Euregio Rhein-Waal coordinated and supported the sub-projects and took care of the financial administration. The results of the project were of public interest and were made publicly available after the project ended. At the end of the project, a symposium was organized, during which all project results were presented