Medical Care
In the Netherlands a general practitioner (GP) or family doctor is called a 'huisarts'. GPs can be visited during consulting hours, after making an appointment.
As of 5 September 2011, Hanze UAS and the University of Groningen have their own doctor’s practice on site: ‘Practitioners Point Zernike’. You can register as their client at www.hzzernike.nl and visit them at Blauwborgje 5, Groningen, at the Zernike location. Appointments can be made online at any time and you can call 24 hours per day at phone number 050-3633111.
This is not the only doctor’s practice in Groningen of course. You can always look up a doctor in your neighbourhood by simply asking your co-students or you can check www.telefoongids.nl (also in English). Do note that with all other doctors, you need to make an appointment by phone, early in the morning. The regular GP’s cannot be called after office hours. They have a special doctor’s service number, which is 0900-9229. Do note that just by calling this telephone number for advice, you will be charged immediately. They will forward your request to the ‘After hours doctor service’ at the Damsterdiep 191 in Groningen, where you will be invited to go to for your consult. Please note that you cannot go to this practice directly.
In case you want to cancel your appointment for whatever reason, you should do so at the latest 24 hours in advance, otherwise you will still be presented with a bill.
Medicine & specialists
Medicine can be bought at all pharmacies. For most of them, you will need a prescription from the doctor. Reclaiming the paid money for medicines is done through your own health insurance. Should you need to see a specialist, you always need a referral note from your doctor first. Only in case of emergencies, you can visit the hospital directly.
Please note that:
• You need to make an appointment with your GP before you can visit
• You need to bring your insurance card to the doctor at all times
• You need a referral note from your GP for a specialist
• Dutch doctors do not always automatically prescribe medicine
• You go directly to the hospital only in case of emergency
For emergencies, dial 112.