Going to the hospital in the Netherlands

Going to the doctor in the Netherlands
The huisarts (GPs) are responsible for gathering all your medical records and are the gatekeepers to all the other types of medical treatment, so they are the first point of contact when you have a health problem (unless it’s an emergency, of course). They can deal with routine health issues, perform standard gynaecological and paediatric examinations, and refer you onto other services, including hospitals, specialists, home midwifery and physiotherapy.

Finding a doctor – and registering
First, you need to register with a huisart, preferably one nearby. Almost all of them will speak English. Not all practices will be taking on new patients, however, or they may have long waiting lists. As such, it's worthwhile to register before you become ill. You can make an appointment to meet the doctor before registering, to assess their suitability for your needs.

You can find a list of local doctors by checking:

• The gemeentegids (community guide) available at the town hall;
• The Yellow Pages of the phone book under ‘Artsen – huisartsen’,
• Via the Centrale Doktersdienst helpline on 020 592 3434;
• By personal recommendation – ask friends, family or even post a thread on Expatica's forum.
• Online sites listing doctors in the Netherlands (Dutch language website).

Appointments: What to expect
You normally have to make an appointment in advance and may have to wait a few days to get a slot. Appointments often run late, so expect to wait, and they only last around 15 minutes, so be succinct when you’re in front of the doctor. Many doctors have daily first-come, first-served sessions (inloop spreekuur) for short phone or drop-in consultations. These days, it’s rare for doctors to make house calls.

Dutch healthcare is generally non-interventionist in nature, so don’t expect to leave the consultation with a prescription.  Dutch doctors tend not to hand out antibiotics or anti-depressants lightly.

You might also see the doctor’s assistant (for blood pressure readings, urine testing, injections) or practice nurse (for monitoring chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes).

You may have to pay the doctor at the time and use the receipt to reclaim the money from your insurer; the doctor may send you an invoice for you to pass onto the insurance company – or send it direct. What you need to do varies from insurance company to insurance company, so check your policy for your payment conditions.

There is 24-hour healthcare coverage in the Netherlands; out of hours, you’ll usually hear a recorded message on the huisart's telephone telling you how to contact on-call medical services. Telephone messages are usually in Dutch, so it helps to get familiar with Dutch numbers early on. Alternatively, you can call 020 592 3434 for medical advice from a central doctor’s service (Centrale Doktersdienst).

Going to see a specialist
You can’t go directly to a specialist for treatment, you have to be referred by a huisarts. Most specialists work within a hospital setting – as ‘contractors’ instead of employees – rather than a specialist clinic, and waiting lists can be long.

Hospitals
There are lots of excellent hospitals (ziekenhuis) with high standards of care all over the Netherlands. Each hospital used to offer a range of specialisms but they are becoming more specialised.

There are different types of hospital. Those attached to universities and carrying out medical research unsurprisingly have the most advanced medical equipment and treatments, and can offer the most specialised care. Teaching hospitals, training medics and nurses, also offer some specialised treatments. General hospitals deal with more routine conditions.

For information on hospital locations, see Expatica's listing of hospitals in the Netherlands.

Going to the hospital in the Netherlands
Unless it’s an emergency, you will need a referral letter from our GP. You will be asked to provide details about your medical history and lifestyle, and be registered on the hospital database.

You’ll be given a registration card (ponsplaatje) which you’ll have to show each time you visit – it’s a means of bringing up your details and passing on bills to your insurance company. 

Hospital admission
If you are admitted as an in-patient (and unless it’s an emergency, this could take months from your initial appointment), you may find yourself in a shared room or ward of up to six beds (mixed sex). You’ll probably have a TV and phone line but there will be a charge. Bring your own clothes and toiletries. Strictly enforced visiting hours vary from hospital to hospital.

Pharmacies: drogist and apotheek
A drogist sells non-prescription medications, toiletries, cosmetics and baby essentials; an apotheek sells prescription-only drugs as well as over-the-counter meds, vitamins, baby items, homeopathic products and medical equipment for home use, and can also advise on medications and minor ailments. 

There will always be an apotheek open 24 hours somewhere in the area. To find the closest out-of-hours pharmacy, you can:

• Check the list displayed in the pharmacy window;
• Call 020 694 8709;
• Look under ‘medische diensten’ (medical assistance) in one of the free local newspapers;
• Visit this online list of pharmacies (in Dutch) – just click on zoek een apotheek and enter your postcode to find the nearest one.

If you have a consultation with a huisarts (GP), you can sometimes collect your medicine right away from the apotheek as they’re often connected electronically. If the pharmacy has a contract with your insurer you won’t have to pay for your prescription at the time; if they do not, you’ll have to pay and claim it back. Your insurance company may also specify which types or brands are covered by your policy, and which are not.

Medications that can be bought over the counter back home may need a prescription in the Netherlands, plus medicines in the Netherlands might not be the same as you’re used to back home. If you’re taking medication prescribed in another country, show the pharmacist or doctor first.

Visiting the dentist
You need to register with a tandarts (dentist). You can find one in the same way as you would find a doctor (through the community guide, Yellow Pages or a personal recommendation) – there are over 9,000 of them. Traditionally, Dutch dentists have worked in single-dentist practices (and around 60 percent still do) but the developing trend is for dentists to work together in group practices.

Once registered, you will be invited for six-monthly check-ups. Your dentist may delegate certain routine tasks to dental hygienists, dental assistants and prevention assistants, and refer onwards if necessary to specialised orthodontists and oral surgeons, who are usually based in hospitals. Out of hours, call the surgery and a voice mail will direct you to an emergency service.

You may have to take out additional insurance to cover the cost of dental treatment (check what your policy offers); under 18s are automatically covered. 

Alternative treatments and therapies
Homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, traditional Chinese medicine and other complementary therapies are widely used. The different types of therapy are grouped together in associations and you’ll find a list of regulated practitioners (in Dutch only) at the Association of Alternative Medicine.

Health insurers now cover many alternative therapies, so check what different insurers offer if you require alternate therapies or treatments.

Mental health
There are lots of good English-speaking counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists and alternative practitioners on hand to help with mental health issues in the Netherlands. However, costs vary and not all will be covered by your health insurance.

In an emergency
Go to the spoedeisende hulp or eerste hulp bij ongelukken (EHBO) department of your local hospital for medical emergencies or first aid.

Call 112 for urgent medical help if you think that a person’s life may be at risk. The operator will answer in Dutch but will be fluent in several languages, including English. Explain what has happened and an operator will pass you onto the correct service: ambulance, fire and police all use the same number. Don’t hang up! Your number will appear on the operator’s screen so if you are cut off, the operator can call you back. The 112 number is toll-free.

If you have a speech or hearing problem, call 0800 8112 and you can type a message to the emergency call centre. You should write where you are, where the help is needed and the service you need.

Call 020 694 8709 for pharmacies open outside normal working hours.

Call 020 592 3434 for urgent medical advice from a central doctor’s service.

Useful medical phrases
Call an ambulance: Bel een ambulanceCall a doctor: Haal een dokterI am ill: Ik ben ziek

More information
For general details on the Dutch healthcare system, the Health Insurance Information Centre has information in English, as does the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.

You can also visit Expatica's healtcare channel for information about insurance cover for different types of emergency care.