Who?

Medical diagnosis and treatment

General Practitioner (GP)

The Dutch general practitioner (GP) or family doctor is called a 'huisarts'.
He or she is your main link to any specialist or hospital. Only in emergency situations is it possible to go to a hospital directly without being referred by a GP.

You are advised to choose a GP practising in your neighbourhood, but not all doctors are able to accept new patients. The first thing to do is to register at a GP's surgery. If you need to visit a GP /Family Doctor, in most cases you need to make an appointment before you visit them. It depends on the matter of urgency whether you will get an appointment the same day.

GPs familiar with international students
Mr H. Boender and Mrs. A.M. van der Braken Health Centre Leidse Hout, Building 'de Schans', Houtlaan 55, Tel: 071-5137750 (answered in English) The Health Care Centre welcomes foreign patients. All staff can communicate in English.
Dr. Bergmeyer (male) Oude Vest 59, 071-5134485
Dr. Boels (male) Lammenschansweg 15/b Phone 071-5663327 
Dr. J. Lindenhovius / S. Akbar (both female) Bonairestraat 2, 071-5222822
Dr. van Schie (female) Rijnsburgerweg 96, 071-5177100 (she has a walk in consulting hour from 7.30-8.30 hrs everyday) 
You can also find other general practitioners by looking in the telephone directory or in the Yellow Pages (Gouden Gids) under Artsen-huisartsen (GP's).

GP Emergency post after office hours

After office hours and during weekends, there is a special GP emergency post: "Huisartsenpost" which you can phone: 0900-513803
It is located at the LUMC, Albinusdreef 2 2333 ZA Leiden.

Please note:
The  "Huisartsenpost" is for emergency cases only and more expensive than a regular visit to a GP / Family doctor during the weekly consulting hours. Needless to say that your health insurance will only reimburse you if it was indeed an emergency.

Specialist (specialist)

In the Dutch medical system, the GP is your gateway to any specialist. In most circumstances it is advisory, even when it seems urgent, to first phone your GP. Only in very severe cases should you can call the emergency service (see details below).

He/she will refer you to a specialist and advise you to make an appointment.
At major hospitals, this normally takes a few weeks. Sometimes it helps to try to make an appointment at another hospital.

Dentist (tandarts)

Dutch citizens who are insured against dental costs are supposed to be registered at a local dentist, and have a general check up twice a year. This is not compulsory for international students, but is recommended. If you should require dental care, call any dentist and you will be referred to the dentist on duty for that day. Normally, you will be helped swiftly, but do not be surprised if it takes a few days.

Dental costs are not automatically covered by all Dutch health insurance policies.  Check if your insurance covers dental care. As a rule, you will be asked to pay cash, so make sure you come prepared. If your insurance covers dental costs, ask the dentist for a receipt to enable you to claim a refund from your insurance company.

Some addresses of dentists
Albrecht, Boerhaavelaan 40, 071-5170748
Dickmann, Breestraat 58a, 071-5146004
Groeneveldt, Oude Singel 210, 071-5226040
Snoep, Rijnsburgerweg 94, 071-5175636
Van Winsen, Oude Singel 210, 071-5226040
W. Kuinters, Plantage 20, 071-5125215

Psychological Health

The University Student Counselling Service provides assistance for Leiden University students experiencing personal and/or study-related problems. By talking with a counsellor, students can be helped, firstly, to clearly identify the issues they are struggling with, and then to find solutions to these issues. Sometimes, as few as one or two talks can be sufficient.  If specialist or long-term help is indicated, the student can be assisted in finding further help.

Appointments
Appointments to speak to the international student counsellor or a student psychologist can be made at the information desk of Plexus Student Centre. 
Tel.: 071 527 80 25, e-mail: pitsstop@plexus.leidenuniv.nl

Area Health Authority (Gemeenschappelijke Gezondheidsdienst: GGD)

The Area Health Authority for Leiden and surrounding area aims at "promoting the health of the population". The GGD has a prevention and a treatment mandate.

Vaccinations necessary for people planning to go to the tropics can be obtained at the GGD. Foreigners who come to the Netherlands do not usually have to be vaccinated at the GGD. However, people coming from high-risk areas are advised to be tested for tuberculosis at the GGD.

Address: GGD Zuid-Holland Noord, Parmentierweg 49,  2316 ZV Leiden,
Phone: 071-5163333
Opening Hours: 08.30-17.00 (weekdays)

 
Last Modified: 05-01-2010