Health care

One of the many great things about living in the Netherlands is the excellent standard of Dutch healthcare, rated as one of the best in Europe. The Netherlands topped the list of 35 nations in the 2017 Euro Health Consumer Index (the ‘industry standard’ of modern healthcare) and spends 10.9 per cent of GDP on health.

Culturally bound

Plus, almost all doctors speak excellent English, making healthcare in the Netherlands very accessible to international students. But healthcare is very culturally bound. Within this Dutch system, you may face situations completely different from that which you are used to in your own country. Especially when feeling unwell and ill, these cultural differences might take you by surprise and frustrate you. But do not worry, you will always find and get the healthcare you need. It is only organised differently to how you might be used to and expect it to be.

In general, the Dutch premise is that people are personally responsible for their own health and for their own well-being. People are expected to take their own responsibility to prevent illness, of course within the boundary of what national healthcare offers and indicates.

The ‘huisarts’ (general practitioner or GP) is the gatekeeper to all the other types of medical treatment, so they are the first point of contact when you have a health problem (unless it’s an emergency, of course).

The GP can deal with routine health issues, perform standard gynaecological and pediatric examinations, and refer you onto other services, including hospitals, specialists, home midwifery and physiotherapy.

When necessary, the GP will refer you to a specialist at the hospital. It is not possible to visit a specialist at the hospital without a GP referral letter. The GP is responsible for gathering and retaining all your medical records.

Centre Veldpoort (HC Veldpoort), The Centre is ideally located: very close to the ITC International Hotel and the MST hospital. A number of GPs are working in this 'up to date' Medical Centre and are experienced with international students.

The general practitioner is always your first point of contact. This will allow your GP to gain a good impression of your complaints or calls for help, and develop a confidential relationship. You can consult your GP by appointment only.

MAKING YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT TO SEE A GP AT HEALTH CENTRE VELDPOORT

Please note you only need to register with a GP once and only if you require the services of a GP.
Depending on your DOB (date of birth) you can contact one of the three GP’s:

Praktijk Lewis (DOB Jan – Apr)
W:       https://lewis.uwartsonline.nl/
T:         +31 53 431 65 65

Praktijk Snijders-Sijes (DOB May – Aug)
W:       https://snijders-sijes.uwartsonline.nl/
T:         +31 53  431 57 35

 Praktijk Bonnema (DOB Sep – Dec)
W:        https://bonnema.uwartsonline.nl/
T:         +31 53 4322687

There is a special section at their website for ITC students (top right of the page), where you can find instruction on how to register. Within 48 hours you’ll receive an email the date and time of your appointment.

Be on time and bring the following

Please be at HC Veldpoort 10 minutes in advance of your first appointment to exchange necessary information with the receptionist. Take the following items with you:

• passport/residence permit
• insurance certificate
• BSN number

Second and further appointments

Second and further appointments can be made only after first-time registration on workdays between 08:00-10:30 by telephone.

The assistant will ask you the reason for consultation. This is necessary in order to determine the urgency. It is also possible that the assistant will give you medical advice without booking an appointment. Appointments for patients are normally scheduled for 10 minutes. Indicate if you may need more time to explain your medical condition or if you want to discuss more than one health problem.

Cancel an appointment

If you need to cancel an appointment, you must give at least 24 hours notice. If not, you will be charged. You will also be charged if you show up late, or miss your appointment altogether.

Dental care for people over the age of 19 is covered by the insurance up to a certain amount and only in the case of an emergency. Please check the insurance policy.

The following dentists regularly treat ITC students:

Dentist in the city centre: Tandarts Billet
Bisschopstraat 8, Enschede
(entrance at Prinsestraat)
T: +31 53 4324436
 https://www.billet.nl/

Dentist - UT campus (Huizinga)
Campuslaan 99, Enschede
T: +31 53 4894600
 https://www.tandartshuizinga.nl/

Dentist in the city centre (Tandarts Post Twente)
Beltstraat 43D, Enschede
T: +31 53 7920040
 https://tandartsposttwente.nl/

The latter one is also available in the case of a dental emergency in the evening, night, weekend or on public holidays.

Making an appointment

Call between 08:00 and 12:00 to make an appointment. If these dentists are not able to treat you because of their full agenda, or in the case of a dental emergency in the evening, night, weekend or on public holidays, they can tell you which dentist in Enschede is on duty or you can phone 0900-128 26 32 for the duty dentist.

They prefer you to pay cash. Usually, the costs remain under € 200. These costs can be claimed from your insurance using the claim form. Always bring the following documents to your appointment:

• passport/residence permit
• insurance certificate
• BSN number
• ITC Healthcare Information Card

For study problems and mental or emotional stress, you can consult either your general practitioner, mentor, supervisor, ITC Student Affairs Officers or UT psychologist. All are, in their field of profession and experience, available to advise students who face study pressure in combination with adjusting in Enschede and being away from family and out of their comfort zone. They can give tips and tricks about planning, time management etc. or are available just to listen to you.

Note: A psychiatrist can be consulted only on referral by your GP.

Contact Psychologists, University of Twente
De Veldmaat 5, Vrijhof (building 47), fl oor 3, room 311, 77522 NM Enschede
+31 (0)53 489 20 35 (in case of no reply within offi ce hours +31 6 142 154 98)
sacc@utwente.nl
www.utwente.nl/ces/studentenbegeleiding/en

GOING TO THE ‘DROGIST’ OR ‘APOTHEEK’

A ‘drogist’ (e.g. Kruidvat, Etos) sells non-prescription medications, toiletries, cosmetics and baby essentials. An ‘apotheek’ (pharmacy) sells prescription-only drugs as well as over-the-counter medication, vitamins, baby items, homoeopathic products and medical equipment for home use and can also advise on medications and minor ailments.

Please note: not all examinations, treatments or medications/drugs, are covered by the insurance. For example, medications for which a prescription is not necessary and are sold over the counter have to be paid for personally like i.e. paracetamol. Most medications obtained on prescription from your GP or specialist are covered by the insurance.

At the pharmacy you will be required to advance the costs of medication and file a claim via your insurer.

Pharmacy

The pharmacy in Health Centre Veldpoort can be used by ITC students.

Procedure for collecting your medication:

1. Go to the pharmacy in Health Centre Veldpoort
2. Hand in your prescription
3. The pharmacy employee informs you about the procedure (verifying coverage with insurance)
4.  Checking the insurance coverage takes one day max., so you can return to the pharmacy within the same day or next day.

For more information on insurance matters, please visit: www.aonstudentinsurance.com/legal/serviceinformation/

If your insurance covers the medication, you can collect your medication without further action.

If the medication is not covered by your insurance, you will need to pay for the medication in cash.

CONTACT PHARMACIE

Apotheek Veldpoort
Cromhoffsbleekweg 2, 7513 EW Enschede 
Monday Friday: 08:00-18:00
+31 (0)53 434 78 55
apotheek@veldpoort.nl
www.veldpoort.nl

REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS

You can request a repeat prescription online. Go to the website of your GP and click “herhaalrecepten” (repeat prescriptions).

If you order before 10:00 you can pick up your order at your pharmacy after 15:00 the next day. You can also arrange for prescriptions by calling your GPs assistant between 08:00 and 10:30 or 11:30 and 17:00.

Always take your

• passport/residence permit
• insurance certificate
• BSN number
• ITC Healthcare Information Card

when you collect your medication. Make sure the name on the insurance paper is the same as the name in your passport.

By law, some nationals from outside the Netherlands/EU need to have a lung X-ray every six months during the first two years of their stay in the Netherlands. The reason for these X-rays is to check for Tuberculosis, a highly infectious disease that can be treated by medication. It can take some time before an infection shows up. For the X-ray check, the dosage of radiation is very low and not harmful to your health.

This examination will be carried out by the GGD (Municipal Health Centre). The GGD will send a completed form to the IND (Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service). This procedure is part of the application for obtaining a residence permit. ITC Student Affairs will make the appointment for the X-ray and provide the required form. You will only be informed if the X-ray result is not satisfactory.

Contact details
GGD Regio Twente, TBC department
Nijverheidstraat 30 7511 JM Enschede
+31 53 487 69 80
tbc@ggdtwente.nl

The Travel Health Clinic (THC) provides vaccinations, malaria prophylaxis and general health information for travellers. If you require fieldwork vaccinations they will need to take place a couple of weeks before your fieldwork departure. You will receive an invitation if your fieldwork or internship destination is outside Europe. There is also an opportunity to buy, at your own expense, insect repellent, bed nets and medication against diarrhoea. The THC also retails first aid kits.

The THC can be reached by phone (24 hours a day) or by email (they respond within 24 hours). They are in contact with hospitals and medical staff abroad. The THC contact details will be given by ITC Student Affairs to those whose fieldwork destination is outside Europe. For further information on travel and tropical diseases, please visit: www.who.int/ith/en/

Contact
Travel Health Clinic
+31 (0)88 291 49 00
info@thci.nl

In the case of pregnancy, please contact a midwife in or before week 10 of the pregnancy.