How is the health care system in the Netherlands??

I've never had a problem with it.  My other half is Dutch and a nurse who currently works in the UK NHS, I know which system she would prefer to work in.

Medical tests - my opinion is that some countries seem to "test", just in case, others only if they need to.

Pharmacies (Apotheke in Holland) - definitely different to France, but they have them.  The only thing I noticed is that what you can buy over the counter is restricted when I compare it to the UK.

My only comment is that under the Dutch health system, prescription drugs are generally the cheapest that will do the job, if you want something different, or more exotic, that costs more, you'll have to pay for it.

If you're worried, why don't you go and see a GP in the area you are contemplating moving to, that's if you can past his/her assistant !!!!!

Hey Carorueil,

Welcome
If you are coming from France, the Dutch healthcare system can be quite a shock !

Rest assured, the overall service is "fine" but the attitude towards medicine is different.

Compared to France, you can expect :

To be prescribed less drugs per doctors visit - hence the relative low frequency of pharmacies.

To have to subscribe to a private insurance. There is no comparable "securite sociale" in the Netherlands so if you'd like to be insured properly, you'll have to navigate insurance providers yourself.

these are just two examples, there are more but maybe you'd like to specify what you are after exactly? I'd be more than willing to help out.

Hope to hear from you soon.

All the best,

Michele

Just to add; if either of you are entitled to a UK state pension, then you should take advantage of the S1 healthcare insurance scheme; this link will take you to the UK NHS website that explains it.

Thanks.  I suppose the problem is I have a complicated medical history and having had discussions with relations of my husband (who are actually nurses), they definitely don't seem to do much tests.. I remember reading an article on Dutch news nl written by an American woman who went to have her annual gynae test done...and the doctor was surprised and marked down 'sex worker'....which I found kind of weird!!

The mother of an in-law had stomach pains for months... local gp gave her paracetamol... she was rushed off to hospital in an ambulance 2 days later.... with a urinary infection...and she was dead within 8 weeks of a type of cancer.... and obviously no tests where done..

I feel that the French system means that you can be more preventative in your health care and just not too sure about the Dutch system... Well will have to try and perhaps rent something near where we are thinking of moving to, and check out the doctors there..

thanks for your advice

Thanks - unfortunately I'm Irish and can't use that form as used to work in an international organisation so was neither in the French or Irish system... I might be entitled to an Irish pension but that's another weeks work!!

thanks for the info

Thanks Michele, it sounds a bit like the Dutch system is like the Irish...so I'd better do some research on private healthcare - because it's extremely expensive in Ireland (especially if you are over 50...and an expat).... so I need to do some research there..

I do feel there is perhaps a cultural difference to - between the French and Dutch regarding health.... it seems to be that the Dutch system just assumes everybody is going to be all healthy from all that dairy produce etc... and perhaps the French is more proactive in trying to eliminate risks of health issues..

I suppose the one thing I've learnt being in France (and not always having had the greatest experience with specialists, (ie. I keep going back to Dublin now instead), is that I would have to take responsibility for my own health...!

thanks for your advice

I suppose my main worry is that I won't be able to get blood tests, etc when I want them: I've had to be a bit more pro-active in taking care of my health issues in France, so normally make sure I get certain tests done on a regular basis.... which isn't an issue in the French system....where normally you can pretty much find a lab very easily - almost as easy as the pharmacies!  I've noticed in Belgium they have a similar tradition to the French...definitely can find pharmacies there... so would definitely need to do some more research about the Dutch private healthcare system... thanks