Patiente Vertriedung asbl has become a key point of contact in the Wilmes affair. To date, it has received a staggering 71 files from patients dissatisfied with the work of the suspended orthopaedic surgeon Philippe Wilmes, and officials expect the case to continue for years to come.
The files have been arriving steadily over recent days and weeks, all concerning Wilmes. The extraordinary volume is unprecedented: "We have really never had anything like this before, and I have been involved here for 19 years," said Michèle Delbrassinne-Wennmacher, a psychologist at the patient representation body, "71 files are already a huge number, and you have to remember that there are only three of us working through them."
On average, each file takes an employee four days to properly review and process. Many requests only came in once the case became public, with the phones ringing off the hook whenever new details emerged. "When the case first broke, we really noticed it immediately," Delbrassinne-Wennmacher said. "And we still notice now that every time something becomes public, the calls increase again."
The patient representation helps those affected to compile complete files for their cases. Georges Clees explained the steps involved: patients must request their medical file from the relevant hospital, and then contact the CNS to obtain all records covering the six months prior to their operation and everything that followed. It is in that full picture, he said, that the extent of the follow-up care can properly be assessed.
Beyond administrative support, the patient representation also offers initial legal advice. So far, three information sessions with a lawyer have been held in the context of the Wilmes case.
