Efgenia’s eight-year-old son, who has multiple disabilities, a severe heart condition and a developmental disorder, has reportedly been at home for almost six months since Villa ExpertCare in Waalre closed. He previously stayed there on weekends and during holidays and received specialized care, including support with tube feeding. Efgenia and her husband say they have had to provide care throughout the night, while the care set out in their son’s care plan is no longer available.

A suitable replacement has not been found. Potential facilities are reportedly too far away, offer only daytime care, have long waiting lists or cannot handle his medical needs. An institution in Eindhoven recently determined that he was too medically complex, while Kempenhaeghe in Heeze is considering him but would not provide structural care matching his care plan. Efgenia said the health insurer, municipality and organizations involved in the Herberg project are continuing to search, but she has little confidence that a suitable place will be found soon. She also blamed B. Braun, the owner of Villa ExpertCare, for mishandling the closure; the company was not otherwise represented in the account.