Health care

The Netherlands has good quality health care. Some important things to know:

● The huisarts (family doctor or General Practitioner) is central in the Dutch health care system. This is usually the biggest difference to newcomers. In the Netherlands, the family doctor acts as the gatekeeper to the healthcare system. Most treatments in hospital will not be reimbursed by the healthcare insurance, unless you have been referred by your family doctor. For finding a GP in your neighborhood please check: www.kiesuwhuisarts.nl

● Antibiotics and other medications are prescribed with great reserve. This has resulted in a very low incidence of antibiotic resistant infections.

● Tests are not done automatically and annual check-ups are only part of the basic service when they are necessary. Private clinics offer this service, but they are expensive and are not covered by Dutch insurers.

● Pregnancy and childbirth are considered natural conditions. (Pain relief is only available in a hospital.)

● The relationship between patient and medical services is constantly changing and responding to individual patient needs. Do not be afraid to ask for the information/services that you want or feel comfortable with. Your insurance company is a good source of information about what is possible and what is not.

● Family doctors treat patients for nonsurgical problems, and many also perform minor surgical procedures. They can answer most general health questions, and serve as a link with other medical services. On their referral, you can visit a specialist, whom you can choose, provided your insurance company has an agreement with that specialist. (If not, you will have to pay for it yourself.)

● Register with a doctor once you know where you will be living. Finding a doctor can be difficult because many doctors have a waiting list. You are entitled to an orientation consultation before deciding which practice you would like to join.

● Especially in smaller towns, once you have registered, it can be difficult or near impossible to change doctors.

● Outside regular hours call the Centrale Huisartsen Post (CHP) to consult a doctor or a pharmacist.

Emergencies

For emergencies dial 1-1-2. You will be connected to a central operator who will inquire what services are needed and transfer you to someone who can assist you.

Safe home (Veilig Thuis)

Safe Home is there for advice and support on domestic violence and child abuse. You can contact Safe Home if things are not going well at home or if you are concerned about others. For children, young people, adults and the elderly. If you are a victim yourself, if you are worried about someone else, or if you use violence yourself. It can be all kinds of violence. Domestic violence and child abuse are common, at all ages and in all cultures. In fact, they are the most common forms of violence. So if you’re dealing with it, you’re not alone. Please call: 0800-2000 (no costs). If you are in immediately danger call the emergency number 1-1-2. www.veiligthuiszob.nl

Did you know?

GPinfo.nl is the English version of Thuisarts.nl an independent website for health information, developed and maintained by the Dutch College of GPs. It contains a selection of topics in English from the Dutch website.

Pregnancy and childbirth

Many Dutch women give birth at home, but more are opting to give birth in a hospital. The choice is yours! If you do want to give birth in a hospital, first check that your insurance will cover this.

First-line (primary) midwife

Midwives work according to a strict protocol, and train for four years. You can choose to have your baby in a hospital, under the care of your own midwife. Only with a medical indication do you get referred to a second-line midwife in a hospital. Then you are under the care of a gynecologist, but will mostly be seen by and cared for by the second-line midwife.

Prenatal care is usually provided by midwives (you may be referred by your family doctor), who will support you throughout your pregnancy and during delivery.

Some screenings (blood tests, ultrasounds or amniocentests) are done in specialist centres, but they are not standard. After delivery in a hospital you are normally sent home relatively quickly. However, you are entitled to kraamzorg (home nursing). Remember to register with the Home Care Association or with kraamverzorgingscentra (private nurses).

Dental care

Your dentist does not need to be located in your neighborhood. Generally, your dentist will contact you for a check-up every six months, and will perform most routine procedures. Orthodontists and oral surgeons have waiting lists.

Anaesthesia is usually only given upon request, and dental cleaning is often not part of the basic treatment.

Pharmacies and medication

A chemist or drogist (drugstore) supplies non-prescription medications, baby items, general toiletries, cosmetics, etc. An apotheek (pharmacy) is the only outlet for prescription drugs. Pharmacies also sell other items, such as over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and special baby foods. They will also provide advice on taking medication.

The Dutch system is rather restrictive. You may find that a prescription is necessary for medication you were able to buy over the counter in your home country. The easiest time to register with a pharmacy is at the same time that you register with a doctor. Pharmacies have 24/7 coverage, based on the same system as doctors.

Alternative medical services

Alternative medicine is becoming increasingly popular in the Netherlands. The various forms of alternative medicine (manual therapy, acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, etc.) are organized in associations.

● More alternative treatments are being covered by medical insurance companies.

● Ask your insurer for a list of alternative doctors they cover.

● Many alternative medications are sold in drugstores.

Homecare

Thuiszorg (homecare) associations provide for all domestic medical services. They are often organized as kruisverenigingen (home nursing associations) where you can borrow medical equipment as well as hire nurses. Baby consultatie bureaus (health clinics for babies) are often part of these associations. In these clinics every newborn baby and young child is checked regularly by specially trained doctors who provide immunization programs and other pediatric care. The child will be referred to a specialist for specific problems.

Health screening

A nationwide program screens:

● Women ages 30-60 every 5 years for cervical cancer.

● Women ages 50-75 every 2 years for breast cancer.

● Both men and women ages 55-75 for colon cancer. Screening for other cancers is not routine in the Netherlands.

If you are in a high-risk group (due to family history, previous illness, etc.) you will be monitored and screened regularly, and if necessary, you will be sent to a specialist.

Hospitals

The Netherlands has a large number of hospitals offering excellent medical care. Traditionally, all hospitals in the Netherlands offered the same range of specialist services, but under the new reformed healthcare system, the government is encouraging hospitals to specialize in particular areas of treatment. Although all hospitals offer the same high standards of care, the University hospitals, where medical research is conducted, often have the most up-to-date facilities and use the most advanced medical techniques.

In some cases, if your condition is serious or requires urgent surgery, the specialist will recommend hospitalisation or refer you straight to the emergency department. In other cases, however, you may have to wait some time, even months, for a hospital appointment for some types of surgery or other treatments.

Academic medical centres

For more complex diseases, you may be referred to an academic medical centre. Certain hospitals have ‘super’ specialists who all speak English. Interpreters are available in the hospital, and can be present at your consultation. This service must be requested.

Tip: use this website to search for a professional or practice such as a GP or dentist: www.zorgkaartnederland.nl

Public Health Service of ZuidoostBrabant (GGD)

The GGD Brabant-Zuidoost covers a wide field of public health activities by management of 21 municipalities. By monitoring, protecting and stimulating health and well-being, we aim to allow people to enjoy healthier lives and experience a better quality of life. Almost all residents of The Netherlands visit the GGD at least once in their lives. Parents of young children regularly visit a youth healthcare location, travelers to the tropics are advised and properly vaccinated at the travel clinic and perform tests. If necessary we provide treatment for an STI (sexually transmitted infection). We also support health initiatives that allow people to live a healthier life and provide ambulances to transport people in need of (immediate) care from and to hospitals. GGD Brabant-Zuidoost is specifically dedicated to stimulate the health and well-being of those extra challenged. You can find a full list of our services on our website: www.ggdbzo.nl (use Google Translate)

Not sure how? Please check www.ggdbzo.nl/mijn-kind/translate-yourdocument-in-your-language-of-choice

H4i

Healthcare for internationals (H4i) is a a non-profit network of organisations that aim to close the gap between Dutch healthcare and the needs and expectations of patients with an international background.

Many expats and other internationals not only feel uncomfortable in Dutch healthcare, they also find themselves poorly informed about the system. The H4i Community platform aims to provide information to internationals about Dutch healthcare and Health insurance that better meets their needs.

www.h4i.nl/

SGE International Health Care Services Eindhoven

For more than 30 years The Eindhoven Corporation of Primary Health Care Centers (SGE) has provided primary health care in Eindhoven. Besides general practitioners they also offer other medical and paramedical facilities, such as a physiotherapists, psychologists, pharmacists, midwife and dentists. They understand it is difficult to explain your health issues in a different language. They offer internationals an extended consultation of 20 minutes with the GP to ensure that we fully understand your concerns and expectations. By using clear definitions, pictures and anatomical models they will discuss all possible solutions.

They speak English and facilitate interpreters in other languages.

Dominee Theodor Fliednerstraat 133

5631 MD Eindhoven

+31 (0)40 711 67 30 (Monday – Friday) international@sge.nl

● www.sgeinternational.nl