AZ Jan Portaels together with the Imelda hospital in Bonheiden, H.-Hartziekenhuis in Lier and AZ Sint-Maarten in Mechelen constitutes the cross-hospital healthcare network Briant. In early 2017, the hospitals signed a letter of intent to cooperate. On 9 May 2018, the letter of intent was ratified by signing a framework agreement.

The aim of integrating our healthcare offer is to provide and ensure high-quality acute and basic care, at close proximity to the patient and at each hospital site in the network.

The co-operation is an important step in the further optimization of healthcare in the region of Bonheiden, Lier, Mechelen and Vilvoorde and responds to the federal and Flemish policy intentions.

Meanwhile, on 23 September 2019, the 4 hospitals established the Briant non-profit organization which will co-ordinate the activities.