Health Care & the Medical System

Few things are more distressing than becoming sick abroad. Do the doctors have the same wealth of knowledge as they do in your home country? What are the health facilities? Will you be able to communicate with them? Many expats take great consolation from the fact that medical care in the Netherlands is in a league with the best of the world. Not only that, but (almost) all doctors speak English, which is also very reassuring. Whether you have the common cold, a serious illness or are expecting a baby, medical care is excellent and thorough.
There are, of course, differences, as this is a different culture. For this reason, we have selected a number of relevant topics (finding a family doctor, going to the hospital, having a baby and other medical issues) to help familiarize you with the careful, caring, though nonetheless Dutch approach to health care.

Emergencies

In case of an emergency, call the national emergency number 112. Here they will enquire whether you need an ambulance, the police or the fire department and will connect you with the correct department.

The Family Doctor – Huisarts

As soon as you get settled in you will need to start looking for a family doctor – or huisarts as they are called in the Netherlands. Your huisarts will be the first one you call whenever you have any medical questions or you need help.

Specialists

If the huisarts thinks you need more specialized expertise, will recommend you to a specialist. If you need to see a dentist, eye doctor, need help with physical disabilities, and need advice on your sexual health, you can also ask your huisarts for referrals.

Medication

The huisarts can recommend medication and give you a prescription (recept). If you live in a country where you leave the doctor’s office with a prescription for at least three types of medicine no matter what you have, then you best be prepared. Chances are, your doctor will recommend you simply go home to bed with some toast and a cup of hot tea!

Hospitals

There are many fine hospitals in the Netherlands all with the latest in technology – university hospitals and community or religious hospitals. In principle, all Dutch hospitals offer the same specializations so that going to one hospital is as good as going to the next. Ask you huisarts whether a particular hospital specializes in your ailment.

Children’s Hospitals

While all hospitals have children’s wards, there are also several excellent children’s hospitals in the country. Some hospitals, but particularly children’s hospitals, have lodging possibilities if you or your relatives want to be close at hand.

Having a Baby in the Netherlands 

According to the World Health Organization, the Netherlands is one of the world’s safest places to have a baby.

Almost all Dutch women remain under the care of a midwife (verloskundige) during pregnancy and birth. If you want to go straight to a gynecologist rather than a midwife, you must first go to your huisarts for a referral.

You have undoubtedly heard that the Dutch women prefer to give birth at home. In fact, only about 30% of the births take place this way. If you want, you can always have your baby in the hospital. However, keep in mind that most insurance companies will not cover a hospital birth unless there is a medically compelling reason to have your baby in the hospital.

Pain Medication 

Pain medication is normally not offered during birth either at home or in the hospital. Verloskundigen, on the whole, are not even allowed to administer it.

Tests
 
There are several tests available to find out whether your unborn child has certain (congenital) diseases.

Home Care after the Birth 

Once your child has been born, you can receive assistance of a baby nurse (kraamzorg). The baby nurse helps out with the baby and if the parents are new to the game, she gives them hands-on training. Normally, a baby nurse comes to the house to assist you for 4 to 8 hours a day for a minimum of seven days. Kraamzorg is covered by your insurance.

Well-Baby Clinic or Consultatiebureau 

From birth until about the age of four, routine check-ups (health, shots, cognitive/motor development) are carried out by the consultatiebureau. From that age onwards, routine health care is taken over by the Municipal Health Services (GGD) and motor/cognitive development by the school doctor. For all other health issues, you visit your family doctor.

Parental Leave
 
For this and Pregnancy Leave we refer you to chapter Kids.

Medical Organizations 

For other services leading up to the birth and follow-up care, you might want to join the Stichting Thuiszorg or the Cross Organization (Kruisvereniging) in your community. They offer pre and post natal exercise classes, baby equipment rental, at home nursing help, crutches, wheelchairs, special beds and lifting devices, etc.

The Pharmacy and the Drugstore

Prescription drugs are filled at a pharmacy (apotheek). The drugstore or drogisterij on the other hand does not carry prescription drugs but handles over-the-counter remedies. Homeopathic medicines can be bought at either an apotheek or a drogisterij.

Physical Therapy 

For physical therapy, manual therapy, haptonomy, chiropractics, cranial-sacral therapy and more, check the Yellow Pages under Fysiotherapeuten, or ask your huisarts. Check with your insurance company whether they cover the costs. 

For useful addresses and websites, please use the info-link button at the top of this page

More on these subjects can be found in The Holland Handbook 2010 - 2011