OTHER MEDICAL ISSUES IN THE NETHERLANDS

Some ailments cannot be cured by a visit to the hospital or the doctor’s. Moreover, some people grow exasperated when they have tried going down the conventional medical route, and experienced no relief from their symptoms. This is when ‘other’ forms of medical treatment and alternative therapies come into play. This page will give a brief description of what’s on offer to expats, and how they can access it in NL.

Many expats save their visits to the dentist for when they go back ‘home’. However, dental emergencies cannot be predicted! Therefore, it is a good idea to find yourself a dentist before that tooth ache sets in. There are several ways to do this. You can:

• Consult the ‘gemeentegids‘ (the municipality register). This is an excellent resource for locating a dentist as well as a GP
• Ask your GP. If you have already signed up with a doctor, you can simply ask him or her to recommend you a dentist
• Search online for: ‘Tandartsen’ (dentists) in your locality
• Ask colleagues, friends or neighbors which dentist they use or recommend

Dental Emergencies in NL

If you have an emergency after hours, you can simply call your dentist, as you would your GP. (Evenings, nights and weekends constitute after hours.) You will hear a recording telling you which dentist in your neighborhood is on duty.

Physical Therapy in NL

You can search for ‘Fysiotherapeuten’ (physical therapy) and all other forms of alternative therapy online. Other kinds of alternative therapy include:

• Manual therapy
• Haptonomy
• Chiropractic treatment
• Cranial-sacral therapy

Alternative Therapy in NL

Alternatively, you could ask your GP for a referral. Here are a few other things it is important to know about alternative therapy:

• Alternative medical care will not be covered by your basic insurance policy
• You have to take out additional insurance to cover alternative medical care
• You should check whether you are taking out a ‘natura’ or a ‘restitutie’ policy

The Netherlands has an excellent record when it comes to assisting individuals with their physical disabilities. If you have a disability yourself, and require specialized help, there are several sources you can contact for assistance. These include:

• The city hall (gemeentehuis). They may be able to assist you with, for example, financing the adaptation of your home to meet your needs
• Other organizations in the Netherlands, such as ‘Thuiszorg‘, can offer you support and relief as well
• Your municipality. They can help cover non-medical expenses, such as assisted living, protected living and occupational activities
• Your insurance company. They may be able to offer you coverage for your disability

Here is a list of organisations to contact for various sexual health matters, for which you may require guidance:

• For information on sexual health and birth control, contact the Rutgers organization. They have branches in several larger cities across the Netherlands and an international, English-language website
• Contact SOAAIDS for information on AIDS and STDs
• For more information on the public health program of the Netherlands, including the immunization program for children, visit the RIVM website, and click on English.

Access to Mental Health Care in NL

In the Netherlands, mental health care is available to everyone, including:

• Children
• Young people
• Adults
• The elderly
• Addicts
• Forensic-psychiatric patients

Take a look at our article on ‘Mental Healthcare in NL‘, for more detailed information on this topic.

A Doctor’s Referral

If you are seeking mental health treatment, talk to your GP. They may be able to help you with minor mental health issues. They can also refer you for more specialist treatment, or to a private psychologist or psychiatrist, if necessary.

Help with Addiction in NL

If you, or a loved one, are struggling with addiction, there are several sources of help available to you. These include:

• ‘Ambulant centers’ for alcohol and drugs. The Dutch refer to these as: ‘Consultatiebureau voor Alcohol en Drugs’. Jellinek is an excellent resource, which offers advice and treatment
• Institutions for social work that focus on caring for people with drug problems
• Clinics for treatment, and outpatient clinics with special departments for addicts
• Lievegoed Antroposofische Zorg. This organization has an anthropological basis and provides care for mental health issues, physical disabilities and addictions
• Your GP. You can always ask him or her for more information, or a referral

When a death occurs in your family, it is best to call your GP to certify it. He or she can also walk you through the steps you will need to take. This is what you should expect:

• Your doctor will advise you to call the embassy or consulate of the country for which the deceased holds a passport
• The embassy will help take care of the formalities their country requires them to cover
• The embassy will also assist you in notifying the deceased’s next of kin