Call for healthcare overhaul   

By The Holland Times Monday 12 April 2010, 09:04

To keep healthcare costs under control, the Dutch health system must be substantially reorganised. This was announced Monday by the government advisory body, the Council for Public Health and Healthcare (RVZ).

The council wants the role of general practitioners to be considerably expanded, including minor surgeries among other treatments. RVZ also called attention to the need for better cooperation between GPs and hospitals, with regional and local institutions boosted to better match each other's services.

Because many patients suffer from chronic problems like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease, the body has says a greater emphasis on preventative healthcare is needed. 

Furthermore, patients should do more to stay healthy, for example quit smoking, exercise more and eat healthier. If patients engage in 'unhealthy' behaviour, they will have to pay more for healthcare than is expected, says RVZ. 

According to their research, such changes in national healthcare practices will result in a considerable savings in healthcare costs.