Tens of thousands without a doctor in the Netherlands
The Dutch Health and Youth Care Inspectorate sounded the alarm on Monday over the growing number of people in the Netherlands who have no access to a family doctor, warning that untreated medical complaints are worsening and driving up pressure on emergency services.
Estimates cited by the inspectorate range widely, indicating that between 45,000 and 194,000 residents have no general practitioner. Nearly 290,000 people are searching for a doctor closer to home because their current practice is more than 15 minutes’ drive away. About 60 percent of general practices have stopped accepting new patients.
The inspectorate said the impact on patients is severe. Without timely treatment, health problems can escalate, and the constant search for care fuels anxiety, frustration and exhaustion. “That costs a lot of energy, while they already have little energy because of their illness,” the inspectorate stated.
Many people call practices week after week in the hope of finding an opening. Some eventually abandon the search altogether. The lack of clear information about where to seek help in urgent situations adds to their stress. Officials said that some patients, in desperation, buy medication online or try to treat themselves, despite the risk of unreliable products and misleading advice.
The inspectorate emphasized that the shortage of accessible family practices is not a problem that will disappear soon. Although authorities, health insurers and professional organizations are working to develop long-term solutions, the inspectorate said these efforts must continue with urgency and result in binding national agreements.
Until structural improvements are in place, the inspectorate urged family doctors, insurers, municipalities and patient organizations to collaborate regionally to ease the strain on patients. The inspectorate said it is essential to expand existing local initiatives so that patients who move can more easily be matched with practices in new areas.
Officials also called for better support in helping people understand their options and the role of insurers in arranging care. In addition, the inspectorate recommended making clear agreements on where patients without a family doctor can receive general medical help and urgent assessments.
The inspectorate concluded that while temporary arrangements are necessary to relieve the immediate crisis, these measures must ultimately lead to lasting improvements so that everyone can rely on timely care.
