For the first time a Flemish minister decides herself that a trainee doctor must stop, and young doctors want clearer rules

Flemish Welfare Minister Caroline Gennez (Vooruit) has removed a young doctor from his specialist training because, in her view, patient safety was at risk. Het Nieuwsblad broke the story and the minister's office confirmed it to VRT NWS. The doctor graduated from KU Leuven in 2021, began his training at UZA and continued it at ZAS Middelheim from October 2025. According to Leuven Actueel, he switched from clinical biology to pathological anatomy after two years.

His professors and internship supervisors reported fifteen incidents, Leuven Actueel writes. In one case a tissue examination during an operation took too long, so a patient stayed under anaesthesia for longer; in another a sample from a child was damaged. He is also alleged to have turned up for work under the influence of alcohol. The doctor and his lawyers deny the allegations. The recognition committee of the Department of Care unanimously advised ending the training, while a second advisory committee wanted to give him a chance in a different department. Because the two opinions conflicted, the minister had to decide, which VRT NWS describes as exceptional: since 2017 seven training programmes have been ended in Flanders, each time with unanimous advice.

Following the case, VASO, the Flemish association of doctors in specialist training, is calling for a clear and transparent procedure in all hospitals, VRT NWS reports. Its chair Judith Brusselmans points out that the quality of supervision varies widely between hospitals and that training sites that supervise poorly should also be held to account. VASO is working on this with the Department of Care and wants the new employment agreement for trainee doctors, due for renewal next year, to include set time for training and regular feedback sessions.