Nurses, gynecologists and pediatricians at Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital (ETZ) in Tilburg have raised concerns about plans to close the operating rooms near the delivery rooms at night. Emergency operations would then take place in the new building, with staff estimating that transporting a patient would take about eight minutes instead of roughly one and a half minutes. They warned that the additional time could be dangerous in situations such as emergency Caesarean sections or severe maternal bleeding, and want the nearby operating rooms to remain open overnight.

The ETZ said patient safety would remain guaranteed and that the decision had been carefully prepared in consultation with medical staff and in line with professional guidelines. The hospital said a surgical team is available around the clock and that transport time is not the only factor determining how quickly an operation can begin. The change is linked to the new building and a shortage of operating-room staff. The Interest of Tilburg party has asked the municipal executive questions about the concerns, while the hospital says it will discuss them with the employees involved.