Big Surprise for Expats...

THE NETHERLANDS HAS THE MOST CONSUMER-FRIENDLY MEDICAL Care in Europe.

This result has just been released from the Euro Health Consumer Index, and the Dutch health care on top of the list of 31 countries for 2008. (Brussels report August 2009).

However, this will be a big surprise for many. Earlier this year, around April, May & June 2009 a national survey of international families was conducted to identify the current needs of international families in our communities. The initiative was founded in response to the findings of the Municipality of Den Haag, 2005 Decisio Rapport and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2008 IOB Rapports. One of the most notable finding was that 63% of international families (who participated in the study) are dissatisfied with the quality of the healthcare system and commented on a consistent lack of clarity in this systems operation.

Because the Dutch are considered conservative in matters medical and maternal, many women fear giving birth in the Netherlands. Even visits to the GP have been a source of concern, with the non-interventionalist approach. Expats are no longer happy to give their sick children paracetamol and "wait and see". Horror stories circulate and spread like ‘flu and there is a general negative sentiment around the Dutch health services.

Despite this, the standard of medical care in the Netherlands is actually very high. This is confirmed by the latest result of the Euro Health Consumer Index. It is an annual ranking of national European healthcare systems across six areas that are key to the consumer: Patients rights and information, e-health, waiting times for common treatments, care outcomes, the coverage of the services system and access to medication. The good news for us, is that Dutch healthcare is best, and has been in the top two for 4 years in a row.

More good news, is that things have changed locally and there are far more services and facilities for expats, particularly here in The Hague. There is no doubt, The Hague is fast becoming the international friendly city of the Netherlands.

Recognising the importance of customer care, Bronovo has started catering to the expat market with their "Star Service" where patients can have their own room, separate meals ordered, newspapers delivered to your room etc. And, great news for parents, there is a new expatriate paediatric outpatient clinic. Here parents can see a paediatrician with a significantly shorter waiting period, than the traditional route via the huisarts.

Another sign of attention to the needs of expats in health care is the International Health Centre of The Hague, in Scheveningen. This impressive establishment has a large international staff, with English, Spanish, German, Russian and Dutch the spoken languages. It was established two years ago and is now seen as a huge resource for expats and parents. They offer GPs, paediatricians, a gynaecologist, family / child psychologists, cardiologists, neurologist and soon a urologist and opthalmologist. Tony Brouwer, Director saw a huge need among the expatriates, looking for better, more intimate relationships between customers and medical professionals, and quick service.

"Passionate Parenting" a small community service company in The Hague, has taken on the mandate of assisting expat parents settle in the Netherlands with children. With regular parent education seminars, their goal is to help local and expat parents raise their children and build strong families and communities. In late September, to address these concerns, "Passionate Parenting" will be delivering a neutral talk on "Navigating the Dutch Health Care System with Children". A 90 minute comprehensive seminar by qualified localised expat, Nester Moyo, will allude to these "expat privileges" and new support systems to reassure parents with "inside" information. The talk will also cover basic info on health insurance, emergencies, the role of your GP and the free health care system for babies and children. The talk will take place on Monday, September 28^th,

^{7:30pm in Archipel Den Haag. Cost €30 (pre-paid). Other parent education seminars in September include: 14th: "Your Will be Done: Planning for your children if you die in the Netherlands" AND 21st "Expat Kids & Global Nomad Families". Please see the website for more information and register early with Soul Robertson at}