There are a number of things you need to know before entering the job market in the Netherlands, such as: the make-up of the Dutch employment market, finding a job here as an expatriate, Dutch labor law, the Dutch social security system etc.
Family Doctor The Dutch word for family doctor or GP is huisarts – which literally translates into ‘house doctor’. You can find one by asking around or by checking the municipal guide (gemeentegids).
If you have any medical or psychological questions, ailments or if you need help, your GP is the first one you call. For simple questions, or to request a refill for your prescription, most doctors have a telefonische spreekuur, or telephone consultation hour, when you can call in and speak to the doctor or his assistant.
Seeing a Specialist If the GP thinks you need more specialized expertise, he will give you a referral notice for a specialist. Keep in mind that, for your insurer to cover the expenses involved in your visit to the specialist, they will want to see a copy of the referral notice – so you have no choice but to visit your GP first!
You make an appointment to see the specialist by calling the number your GP has written on the referral note. Most specialists work out of hospitals. Once you arrive at the hospital, you look for the sign Poliklinieken, and the correct department. If this is your first visit, you register at the front desk, where they issue you a ponsplaatje or electronische patiëntenpas which will be used for administrative purposes by the hospital.
Medication If you need medication, the GP/specialist will give you a prescription (recept). Dutch GPs are not quick to hand out medication and certainly not antibiotics – so be prepared for being told to come back in a couple of days if you don’t feel any better. Medication prescriptions are filled out at a pharmacy (apotheek).
Alternative medicine such as acupuncture and homeopathy are also very popular in the Netherlands. For more information, get in touch with the Alternatieve Geneeswijzen Infolijn (www.infolijn-ag.nl). Contact your insurance company to verify whether they cover alternative medication.
Insurance
You have a choice between taking out health care insurance ‘in kind’ (natura) or based on ‘restitution’ (restitutie). In the latter case, you will have to pay your medical bills yourself and then ask you insurance company for a restitution, in the former, the insurance company will pay your medical bills directly.
Hospitals All the hospitals in the Netherlands have the latest in technology – eight of them are university hospitals and the others are run by the community or religious organizations. In principle, going to one hospital is as good as going to the next though there are hospitals that specialize in certain conditions / ailments.
Having a Baby Many newcomers to the Netherlands are taken aback by the non-interventionist approach to perinatal care and the myth that everyone delivers at home with a midwife. In fact, only about 30% of deliveries take place at home, the rest take place in a hospital under the guidance of a midwife or gynecologist. According to the World Health Organization, the Netherlands is one of the world’s safest places to have a baby.
Other Medical Issues When looking for a physical therapist, chiropractor, psychologist, etc. consult your GP. Keep in mind that some insurance companies only cover the related expenses if you have a referral note.
Dental Care Dental care for children up to the age of 18 is free, orthodontist-related expenses are largely covered. Anyone older than 18 must arrange additional insurance.
USEFUL REFERENCES
GENERAL MINISTERIE VAN GEZONDHEID WELZIJN EN SPORT
Tel.: 070 340 79 11 www.rijksoverheid.nl
HEALTH CENTERS
International Health Centre The Hague
Prins Willemstraat 41, 2584 HT The Hague
Tel.: 070 306 51 00
Internet: www.ihch.nl
Bronovo Hospital
Bronovolaan 5, 2597 AX The Hague
Tel.: 070 312 40 16
E-mail: expat@bronovo.nl
Wassenaar Health Centre
Rijksstraatweg 324, 2242 AB Wassenaar
Tel.: 070 512 72 00 www.bronovo.nl
CENTRE MEDICAL FRANCOPHONE
Laan van Middenburg 2, 2275 CC Voorburg
Tel.: 070 386 21 91 www.cmfonline.nl
RECOMMENDED READING The ACCESS Guide to Health Care in the Netherlands
Published by ACCESS
This publication concisely covers a wide range of health topics from birth to death, insurance to legal rights, home care to hospitals, special services to social services. www.access-nl.org
Babies and Toddlers
Published by ACCESS
Information for parents of babies and toddlers in the Netherlands. Topics include pregnancy, child health and safety, activities, support groups, childcare services, recommended reading, etc. www.access-nl.org
HAVING A BABY International Confederation of Midwives
Supports the interests of pregnant women, mothers and midwives.
Tel.: 070 306 05 20 www.internationalmidwives.org
Pregnancy yoga (zwangerschapsyoga)
Central Registration of yoga-teachers qualified to teach pregnancy course Samsara
Tel.: 075 687 17 57 www.yoga-nl.nu
Acupuncture
Dutch Association for Acupuncture (N.V.A. Nederlandse Vereniging voor Acupunctuur)
P.O. Box 2198, 3800 CD Amersfoort
Tel.: 033 461 61 41 www.acupunctuur.nl |
SEXUAL HEALTH AIDS Foundation
Keizersgracht 390-394, 1016 GB Amsterdam
Tel.: 020 626 26 69 www.aidsfonds.nl
Rutgers Nisso Groep
P. O. Box 9022, 3506 GA Utrecht
Oudenoord 176-178, 3513 EV Utrecht
Tel.: 030 2313431 www.rutgersnissogroep.nl
MENTAL HEALTH Nederlands Instituut voor Psychologen
(Dutch Institute for Psychologists)
P.O. Box 9921, 1006 AP Amsterdam
Tel.: 020 410 62 22 www.psynip.nl
Nederlandse Vereniging voor Psychiatrie
(Dutch Association for Psychiatry)
Lomanlaan 103, Utrecht
Tel.: 030 282 33 03 www.nvvp.net
PsyQ Expat
Laan van Meerdervoort 70, 2517 AD The Hague
Tel.: 070 391 82 82 (ask for expat program) www.psyq.nl
Parnassia
(Psycho medical centers in the The Hague region)
Tel.: 070 391 63 91 www.parnassia.nl
