The Healthcare Innovation Hub has many enthusiastic partners. But who are these partners and what do they contribute? Gerbrand de Jong, Information and Automation manager at Saffier, talks about his vision for the hub.

Elderly care provider Saffier has ten locations in The Hague, focused on various care specializations. Gerbrand de Jong is concerned with digitalization, technological innovation and its use within healthcare providers. That is why he is the appropriate representative of Saffier within the Healthcare Innovation Hub.

Why did Saffier become part of the Healthcare Innovation Hub?

“It is important that the parties involved find each other and exchange knowledge. In an aging society, elderly care should certainly not be missing from the conversation about healthcare innovation, so Saffier can contribute to this. In turn, we can learn a lot from the knowledge about products and how to use them from others.”

What are the challenges?

“Saffier is currently in the middle of difficult conversations about how we will support healthcare through technology. What does technology mean for our society? If a person in need of care does not want to be helped by technology, does that mean that they will no longer receive care? These are difficult questions that we want to address in collaboration with other parties.”

What will Saffier mainly be concerned with?

“We notice that Healthcare Technology is not yet anchored enough in the social conversation. A challenge of the Healthcare Innovation Hub therefore lies in reaching the target group. In addition, there is a challenge in creating a strong support network. If the device no longer works, where can someone go? Let's build that support network together from the hub and provide support points in the neighborhood.

What is your dream for the Healthcare Innovation Hub?

“The launch was a big party and it is wonderful that an involved municipality wants to organize this based on intrinsic motivation. If we are realistic, a large target group was missing: the end user. My dream is to connect with that.”