An admission can be arranged through consultation by, or after consultation with, a neurologist in our centre, or in response to a referral from your GP or neurologist.

Admissions mostly take place on Monday morning.
Exceptions are agreed with the physician in charge.

On the day of the admission, you need to report to the rehabilitation centre reception.
It's very important to be there at the agreed time!

You will then be welcomed, registered and taken to your room by an employee from the social services department.
 

What to bring with you for an admission?

For your administrative records:

• your ID card
• your GP's name, address and phone number
• name, address and phone number of your home nurse and any other contact persons from the home care
• name, address and phone number of a trusted person who we can contact during your admission
• you don't need to pay any deposit for your admission; all expenses are arranged via the global hospital invoice
   

For your medical record:

You need to give all relevant medical details to your physician in our centre for your admission.
For your admission you can possibly bring:

• a letter from your GP (which includes details of medication used)
• a letter from the referring physician
• a letter from your home nurse
• results from any previous examinations
• radiographs
• approval form for enhanced physiotherapy E-pathology intervention

For your stay in the hospital:

• adequate nightwear, underwear and day clothes (sports clothes such as a tracksuit are most suitable for the therapies)
• toiletries (face cloths, towels, soap, deodorant, cotton buds, shaving kit, toothpaste and toothbrush, etc.)

In the framework of hospital hygiene guidelines, you must bring enough face cloths and towels to be refreshed every day.

• swimsuit and dressing gown for the hydrotherapy (the hospital provides the towels at €1 per person per day)
• your own wheelchair or other aids you use
• your personal medication that you are taking at the time of admission (enough for a day and a half)
• any anti-pressure ulcer equipment (e.g. special mattress)

Please ensure your name is on everything (clothing, all detachable wheelchair components, anti-pressure ulcer equipment, etc.)

Some useful information regarding your stay:

• We advise you not to bring any expensive items and only a minimum amount of money with you. The centre cannot be held liable for any loss or theft. You can give any important or valuable items to the social services department to look after.
• There are no pets allowed in the centre. The only exception to this rule is for recognised assistance dogs. You are then admitted to a single room and pay your own supplement for this room!
• Smoking is prohibited in the rooms, corridors and halls. Smoking is only permitted in the designated areas. Please also provide any necessary instructions for your visit.
• The consumption of alcoholic drinks and drugs * is prohibited. Alcoholic drinks are only permitted, in moderation, in the cafeteria during opening hours and after the therapies.
• Personal electrical household devices such as a coffee machine, heater, TV set, etc. are not allowed in the room for safety reasons.
• You can however use your laptop. Wireless internet is available in all rooms.
• Personal hygiene and grooming devices may only be used after consultation with the head nurse.
• Patients and visitors are free to use mobile phones in our hospital.

* The use of cannabis or any other drug is NOT permitted anywhere on the NMSC premises. Distribution, dealing or incitement to use is also forbidden. Patients who do not adhere to these rules can be denied access to the NMSC. The police may also be informed.
 

The pastoral service in the NMSC:

The National MS Centre aims to provide integrated and comprehensive care to people with MS. As well as physical and psychosocial care, the NMSC also focuses on ideological and existential care. The centre has entrusted this care to the Pastoral Service. The global objective for pastors is to recognise the humanity of every person, sick or healthy, religious or not religious, and to support them in their growth towards living a full life and guide them in their own ideology.

1. Individual guidance for people with MS.
 

The proper course of action for pastors is to work with the meaning that someone gives to their own life and relationships. In other words, pastors are ‘specialists’ at guiding people with MS to find answers to their existential questions. If this person has religious beliefs, then the pastor can use religious language with them. If someone is not religious, then they use language that evokes existential themes in their life. Pastoral care focuses on the life dynamics of the person with MS. This mainly takes the form of an individual pastoral conversation.

2. Shared guidance for people with MS.

The pastoral service provides liturgy from the catholic tradition to people who want this. Silence and solidarity are created with The Untold through communion and/or a blessing, in sacrament and ritual. Liturgy is celebrated on Tuesday afternoon and Sunday morning. This contributes to a religious community.

This type of ideological care is offered to all hospitalised patients. People are free to take up this offer or not. Everyone is free to contact the Pastoral Service under their own initiative.

The pastors are Stefan Vermuyten and Katleen Duthoo