What?!!!? Maybe these EHCI guys should spend some time here. I could agree on hospitals but not for the basic healthcare. If we want to say that is cheap, yes it is, but in a wider sense.
The answer to any illiness or injury is an aspirin and a cup of tea.
You could be dying in your bed, but nobody will come to assist you.
The doctors charge you 25euro even to say good morning... after all you do not have to pay, the insurance does... but who pays the insurance???

By M | September 28, 2009 8:45 AM

Can't believe it - what criteria EHCI people use ? Basic healthcare is horrible, staff is rude and it's virtually impossible to make an appointment with a doctor and when you do, paracetamol seems to be the miracle medicine.

By kiki | September 28, 2009 9:56 AM

This is certainly impossible to believe. There is no more impersonal assistance as it is in the Netherlands. All doctors charge for even saying hello, and the prescription you already know it: paracetamol and that is it.
Furthermore, lack of burocracy, come on, even when you know it is completely useless to go to the house doctor you have to go for having an order to go to the "specialist" who will probably refer you to another specialist or back to the house doctor.

Dutch government should do something about it, it is unbelievable that having everything to make it work perfectly, this is not the case

By xvanderveen | September 28, 2009 10:29 AM

M, do not know where you are located but my experience is very different from yours.
My doctor is very available and very caring. Listens too! So what if they charge 25 euro. That is what you have insurance for.
I agree that the Dutch system is good value for the money. Compare to a USA policy. That will be a shock.

By bobsocks | September 28, 2009 12:14 PM

I work at a hospital and I agree with M. The organisation, the personel of the hospitals both in research and "normal" practise is very good. The point where the system is problematic is the GP level or family doctors. Their policy or the policy they are instructed to follow is wrong at least for me i.e. sending people home even when serious problems (not life threatening) are sent home. In order to get my meds for my allergy it took me 3 months, and i was importing my drugs from greece where i come from. One other bad aspect is that the price of the medicines charged is almost double (maybe the insurance pays, however at the end who pays the insurance)compared to greece, italy and germany that i have personal experience with because of my work. As for the drs charging a fee..that is almost everyhwere.

By kos | September 28, 2009 2:51 PM

bobsocks are you sure you live in the Netherlands?
The US policy is full of flaws but at least you won't get paracetamol prescribed if you have an open wound or a severe infection.

By LS | September 28, 2009 3:02 PM

Its imposible that people study many years to become a doctor...to prescript only paracetamol or a cup of tea....what are they thinking??

By Perpetuo | September 28, 2009 3:10 PM

My experience has been different. I used a doctor that specialised in foreign tourists, and thought his diagnosis was quick and correct and the ailment was solved. Then I used a clinic that was for the usual people who live here, and either had the wrong diagnosis, or was told to wait for a month and come back if it had gone, so a month later I came back. What was the point?
I have had health care in Britain Chile Germany Nederland and the US, and the best has been Belgium (for National Insurance equivilent and Chile for private insurance.

By anonymoys | September 28, 2009 3:36 PM

US Policy is indeed full of flaws. Dr. orders unnecessary tests, writes tons of prescriptions, anything to make a buck. Deductibles are high, out of pocket is high and insurance is out of reach for most people who need it. Quit complaining about NL health care and insurance. Yes you can go to a specialist immediately in the US, but half the time it is totally unnecessary.
You don't know how lucky you are.

By Inky | September 28, 2009 3:52 PM

Yes! If one looks at the Beautiful Hospitals, and the Wonderful new Equipment ... but where are the Medical Skills to match!?

By Gerard | September 28, 2009 4:05 PM

LS,

No, you won't get paracetamol. You'll die because you can't afford to go to the doctor or else you'll go and end up bankrupt. That's some choice, I'm telling you.

By T. | September 28, 2009 4:14 PM

I have lived here for over 30 years I have have had perfect treatment from my GP & hospitals, no way would I live any where else .I am English but both I & my husband would not be alive if we had lived in England

By ValWrench | September 28, 2009 5:06 PM

This is the most incredible news i have ever read. The guys that work at EHCI must be dutch!! I have been in some countries and the Netherlands just have the worst health care system i have ever saw!! I pray every day just not to get sick here! No wonder the first cause of death here is cancer, because there is no prevention at all!!!
And about the value for money?? Helloooo.... !!! It's you who pays for everything!!

By fosgass | September 28, 2009 7:30 PM

What are you complaining about ? I have lived in several countries around the world. One of them has won the competition for the best country in the world to live in (Norway). I t must say that the Dutch Health Care is the best and the most efficient system that I have seen and experienced so far. However, I have not been seriously ill and I hope that will be status in the years to come

By Expatriate | September 28, 2009 9:58 PM

I have lived in the Netherlands for 15 years and have received outstanding health care. Not only has my GP been wonderful but I have had excellent treatment for breast cancer (mammogram, sonogram and biopsy all performed within a half hour-surgery one week later). The excellent and affordable health care was one of the primary reasons here that I do not plan to live in the US again.

By Elaine | September 28, 2009 10:00 PM

How many of those who complain about paracetamol have became worse? Died maybe or rescued from the death bed just because GP didnt prescribe pack of drugs?! I have received paracetamol advises if there is temperature involved and some virus symptoms, because body has natural ability to cope with certain diseases, and I've also received immediatelly prescription medicine for some conditions that can/should be treated straight away. It's the drug madness talking in these comments above. "GP didnt prescribe me anything..." plus having witnessed for example maternity care(meaning one before birth), it is outstanding in all ways possible. Child health care (consultatie) smooth (except that it's rather overcrowded)!

Doctor's I've met are not all enthusiastic workers, but seeing paramedics at the scene, or hospital work, or GP (except that they take whole month holidays...)
chill, critics.

By Jaja | September 29, 2009 9:16 AM

Maybe they're the most cost efficient system because they don't treat anyone! I have been having terrible back pain for over a week and have yet to see a specialist.

By Anna | September 29, 2009 10:00 AM

What can I say... it's a joke. I think persoanlly, healthcare in NL sucks big time.

By Alan | September 29, 2009 10:38 AM

I too agree with Elaine, the treatment i received when cancer cells were found in my cervix was very quick. Within a few weeks i had a coposcopy and a biopsy, and the hospital staff were excellent. However i have not been impressed with the GP's here i have on many occasion also been sent home with a paracetamol.

By Catherine | September 29, 2009 11:25 AM

Sounds like your mileage my vary in this country but on average it must be more than acceptable or NL wouldn't win the ranking.

I get annoyed when our dr tells me to put half an onion next to bed and rest (I HAVE KIDS to care for!) but I agree that we shouldn't over prescribe when unnecessary.

They have a great system for taking sick days as needed so drs don't feel the need to make sure you can work ASAP, they allow you time to rest and build your immune system and still get paid from work.

That's priceless really!

I doubt I could get my son to be put to sleep for the dentist in America where I'm from but here we won't pay 1 cent for it!

Perhaps some of you haters haven't thought of the upsides and only the downsides? If you are sick or in pain and the dr won't listen or try and help you, simply switch to another doctor!!! You have that right.

By Laura | September 29, 2009 12:54 PM

I think system is well funded and less corrupt institutionally compared to US.
They also have good equipemets and machines. But whole system fails because Doctors (Huisarts and specialist) are unskilled. They anyway make huge amount of money (secured) so they do not bother about patients and improving their skills.I found very skilled Doctors and cheap medicine in India.unfortunately they are

By Amitabh | September 29, 2009 9:07 PM

Coming from Africa, I always carry much of my 'kind of 1st AID Box' full with different Medicines prescribed by my Doctor there for tropical related illnesses.
Though I have only been to the GP few times, generally speaking the system is good here, no corruption and the attitude towards patient is very positive. I do extend a warm welcome to HE Obama to take a lesson from here.

By Prophet | September 30, 2009 1:04 PM