MPs ‘doubt very much’ whether the September 1 deadline for the introduction of digital patient files can be met, according to media reports on the parliamentary debate held with health minister Ab Klink on Tuesday.

The biggest concern is that the system, known as EPD, will not guarantee patient privacy. The possibility of patients managing their own files is also under discussion.
Opposition MP Halbe Zijlstra of the right-wing liberal VVD party told reporters that the introduction of the scheme has ‘all the elements of an IT nightmare’.
Nevertheless, almost all MPs support the new system which is intended to make it easier for doctors, hospital and pharmacy staff to access and exchange health records.
By mid-December 330,000 people had already registered to opt out of the EPD according to the Volkskrant.
The debate continues on Thursday.