Amsterdam's MC Slotervaart stops admitting patients as bankruptcy looms

The MC Slotervaart in Amsterdam will no longer take in any new patients, the hospital decided on Wednesday evening. The operating rooms and intensive care units remain operational only for patients who are already admitted to the hospital. "The patients who are still here are in good hands", a spokesperson said, Het Parool reports.

On Tuesday MC Slotervaart and the hospitals under MC IJsselmeer filed for deferment of payment. Health insurer Zilveren Kruis and most other health insurers stopped financing for the hospitals, because of their poor financial situation.

The Amsterdam hospital agreed with Zileveren Kruis and other health insurers that money will be made available to care for the patients who are currently in the hospital, according to the newspaper.

The hospital's emergency room has also been closed since Tuesday. The emergency room is staffed by many temporary workers, which are often no longer available due to tightness on the labor market. The staff shortage that resulted from this makes it irresponsible to keep this department open, according to the hospital.

MC Slotervaart hopes for more clarity about the situation this week. The board and administrators will give employees an update on Thursday.