Dutch hospitals will next year begin specialising in specific treatments and will no longer offer all areas of medicine under a new agreement reached between health minister Edith Schippers, insurance companies and hospital bosses.

The plan means some patients will have to travel to other parts of the country for treatment, the Volkskrant says in its report on the deal.
At the moment, the Netherlands’ 100 plus general hospitals offer a complete range of treatment, but Schippers believes quality can be improved and costs cut by more specialisation.
This is because expensive equipment will be better utilised and doctors will build up more experience.

Price competition
The move is also part of Schipper’s decision to increase competition between hospitals, by allowing them to complete more on price. Health insurers will also be able to make more bulk agreements with hospitals for specific treatment.
This could lead to patients being required to attend a specific hospital where their insurance company has an agreement, the Volkskrant says.
Hospital costs have been rising by up to 7% a year. The minister hopes increased competition will limit the increase to 5.3%.