CHILDRENS HEALTH

Specialists

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You will need a referral from your huisarts for any specialist, be it ear-nose-throat, dietician, you name it. Not only will the specialist request the referral letter, but you are unlikely to have the costs refunded by your insurer if you have not been referred. As described in the ' Development ' page, whether it's you or the clinic who has noticed the issue in your child, the route will always be via the huisarts . I can't emphasise enough that, if only for this reason, you really want your huisarts on your side.

If he is familiar with the child's / the family's background, your chances are much higher that she will unhesitatingly give you a referral when it is necessary. When you already have the worry of a (suspected) health problem in your child, the last thing you need is a huisarts who's not (at least slightly) tuned in to you and your child.

He may recommend a particular hospital or doctor. As stated in the introduction, though, healthcare here is generally excellent and I have not yet noted any difference in quality between our three locals - Rijnland, Diaconessenhuis and LUMC. Whether with or without a recommendation, you ring the polikliniek (outpatient clinic) in question and make the appointment. Even if your appointment is with the recommended Dr. X, she could be on holiday when your turn comes round, meaning that you get whoever's on duty that day instead.

Note that waiting lists can vary substantially so it is often worth ringing round plenty of places. In urgent situations your huisarts may be able to help you get priority, or your health insurer may be affiliated with hospitals or clinics specialising in some areas, although these tend to be more for things like knee or hip surgery, not so focused on children!. There are clinics all over the area dealing with specialisations such as (for example) eye problems; ask your local health centre for more information.

Intro