The Federal Chamber of Representatives has approved a bill proposed by Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) to alleviate the strain of healthcare workforce shortages.
Most of the measures passed in the bill were extended after having been put in place at the start of the pandemic.
This includes the additional income pensioners are due if they decide to offer their help in federal or regional healthcare institutions, with the government also deciding to expand voluntary and student work opportunities in the health sector.
Furthermore, people who have been unemployed for at least three months will be able to work among health staff while retaining a quarter of their benefits for a maximum of three months.
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Among the other measures, the Federal Government has decided to match the €21 million that hospitals have chosen to invest in systems that reduce the administrative burden on nurses.
More specifically, an additional €20 million will be allocated to personnel, while the 'Choose Care' training programme will also see receive €24 million from the government.

