Just moved to a new city, that includes a new doctor. Easy, I thought. Because there are several general practices in the neighborhood. But they all have a registration stop or my house falls just outside the postcode area. For new residents of the municipality of Tilburg, finding a general practitioner is a big challenge, it turned out earlier this week. And not a word was lied to that.
Moving is often a stressful event, from boxes in and unpacking to applying for a parking permit. For me, finding a new doctor was added. I need care and have to get a shot from the doctor every twelve weeks. Because my current doctor is in Amsterdam, rather cumbersome, I immediately call practices in my new Tilburg environment.
‘Mission Impossible’
That is still pretty disappointing. “We are full and do not accept new patients,” says number one. At the second general practitioner I just live one street too far, my postcode area is therefore not his. And the third indicates that I have to wait until the site states that there is another place available. Then you can call us. ” The latter may happen tomorrow, but can also take weeks or months. After ten phone calls, the courage drops me in my shoes.
I am not the only one who is experiencing this, because more and more residents of Tilburg people are running into this problem. “About 85% of general practices in Tilburg are closed for new patients. I think that will soon be 100%,” said retired general practitioner Peter Staal earlier this week. “Until now it was mainly students who were without a doctor, but that changes and it will be really noticeable.”
In 2024, around 60% of general practices in the Netherlands had a patient stop. According to a report from the Court of Audit (April 2025), an estimated 45,000 to 194,000 Dutch people do not have a general practitioner at all. In addition, another 732,000 people are looking for another general practitioner, for example because of a move or dissatisfaction.
My frustration is great. Certainly when I consider that there are enough general practices in my neighborhood, but they are all full or only accept two postcodes. I even hear: “We don’t hire new patients and don’t have a waiting list either.”
According to Staal, general practitioners do everything to keep the care accessible, but this is becoming increasingly difficult. “In Tilburg, a solution for a very pressing problem must be sought: the housing. It is difficult to get a space as a doctor. The spaces are expensive, and if they are already there, you have permits.”
In the meantime, the waiting lists at general practices are increasing and for residents of Tilburg we await and hope in a place. I decide to ask the health insurer to ask for help. They advise me to use a special search engine on their site. “If it is not possible to find a general practitioner, our team will help you with the search,” said my health insurer.
I am now on three practices on the waiting list and I will soon have an introductory meeting. If everything goes well, I can finally register afterwards after two months.
