Recent research by research agency Independer shows that 77% of North Holland GPs indicate that they have implemented a complete or partial patient stop. This means that the province scores lower than the national average, but the national picture also points to major shortages in general practitioner care.
This is evident from one recent research carried out by research agency Independer. More than 2 in 3 general practitioners are no longer accepting fewer or no patients. According to the research agency, pressure on general practitioner care is increasing nationally. This is striking, because the number of general practitioners has been correct in recent years increased. However, the increase has not led to more available places for patients.
Major problems in Hilversum
Hilversum is the worst boy in the class, says Independent healthcare expert Bas Knopperts. As a Hilversum resident, he is not bothered by the significant patient stoppage in his municipality, but he hears the stories frequently. That is not surprising: no fewer than 91.6% of Hilversum general practitioners have a (temporary) patient stop.
According to Knopperts, there are several reasons for the high percentage. “People who move from Hilversum remain registered with their GP, and thus do not make room for someone else.” This is also noticed by a GP who took part in the study: “We actively encourage people to deregister and find a GP in their new area of residence, but patients are apparently unable to do so. We notice that the turnover is stagnating.” It is unclear why this is often the case specifically in Hilversum.
The healthcare expert mentions the high demand for mental health care as other reasons, but the extra administrative burden is also too much for many general practitioners. A GP says: “The workload among GPs is only increasing and we are receiving more and more tasks from the government/health insurance and secondary care.” It is in line with other responses from general practitioners who indicate that they have less and less time for the patient.
Same region, different numbers
The municipality of Gooise Meren borders the municipality of Hilversum, but surprisingly emerges as one of the best in the test. Only 33% of general practitioners there are no longer accepting new patients. According to Knopperts, the difference fits in with a national trend. “Prosperous residential municipalities generally score better rather than less.”
Rest of the province
In the north of North Holland, many general practitioners are also experiencing a patient stop, if not a temporary one. In the IJmond, 17% of general practitioners indicated that they still had available places and shortages are also significant in the Zaan region and the Purmerend region.
According to Knoppert, the stop in patients is especially annoying for chronically ill people, who often have to visit their GP for a check-up. “It’s very annoying if you have to sit in the car for an hour first.”
In the interactive map below you can see per municipality how many general practitioners have a (temporary) patient stop,