Central level
The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport is responsible for[1]:
- Developing the policy framework, legislation and regulations on specific aspects of public health provided by the national level;
- Health inspection;
- Provide financial resources for national government health care facilities;
- Establishing the contents and size of the statutory health insurance package, available to all residents of the Netherlands.
The National Healthcare Authority - Zorginstituut Nederland is responsible for
- Ensuring that the Health Insurance Act is implemented in accordance with the rules and regulations,
- Acting as the market regulator in healthcare
The Dutch Healthcare Inspectorate (Inspectie voor de Gezondheidszorg) oversees and enforces the quality and safety of health.
Regional level
Regional authorities have a limited scope for setting own priorities in the implementation of public health policy.
They are responsible for:
- Supervising the availability, distribution and planning of medical facilities (e.g. hospitals);
- Providing advice on priorities for public health planning;
- Preparing regional public health plans, involving the local health care institutions and municipalities;
- Monitoring and implementing national health policy;
- Licensing of ambulance service;
- Implementing public health education, and related services.
Responsible ministries/bodies
Provinces
Local level
Municipal role in public health closely linked to national policy-making.
Local authorities are responsible for:
- Providing social and preventive health care on the local level (municipal medical services);
- providing support to people with physical, mental or psychological disabilities, including people with learning disabilities and the elderly (Social Support Act 2015,)
- Providing the youth support, assistance or care services or are supported in this process by a healthcare provider (Youth Act)
- Providing healthcare services for the elderly and chronically ill.
- Participating in regional overviews;
- Providing minor financial contribution to public health financing by the Municipal Fund'
- Licensing of ambulance service;
- Locating GSM/UMTS base stations.
Responsible ministries/bodies
Municipalities
Sources
Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport
Public Health Act (applicable 2016) Wet publieke gezondheid
Ambulance Transport Act, 2013 (Wet ambulancevervoer)
National Healthcare Authority - Zorginstituut Nederland
Dutch Healthcare Inspectorate (Inspectie voor de Gezondheidszorg)
Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sport, 2016, Healthcare in the Netherlands Publication
[1] The Dutch healthcare system is governed by four basic healthcare-related acts: the Health Insurance Act (Zorgverzekeringswet), the Long-Term Care Act (Wet langdurige zorg), the Social Support Act (Wet maatschappelijke ondersteuning) and the Youth Act (Jeugdwet). In addition, there are several general laws in place (including the Competition Act/Mededingingswet) and a number of specific healthcare acts (e.g. the Care Institutions (Quality) Act).
