As expected, parliament on Thursday night voted in favour of reforming long-term care provision in the Netherlands, by transferring responsibility to local councils and cutting budgets.

The change means local authorities will be responsible for providing care facilities for the frail elderly who still live independently and people with physical or mental disabilities.

Health insurance companies will be charged with providing home nursing services but will have less money to spend.

January 1

Critics argue councils have not had enough time to gear up for the changes, which will take place on January 1 next year. They also say the government is cutting too much from the budgets.

Junior health minister Martin van Rijn has struck a deal with D66 and two minor Christian parties to ensure support for the proposals in the upper house of parliament, where the coalition does not have a majority.

He wants friends and family to take up much of the slack of caring for the elderly at home when the transfer of control takes place. The minister believes decentralised services will be more efficient and cost less to administer.