Complaint about a doctor or healthcare provider — who do I contact?
For a complaint about a doctor, hospital or healthcare provider, follow the Healthcare Quality, Complaints and Disputes Act (Wkkgz): (1) Complaints officer at the healthcare institution — legally required first step. Free, confidential, response within 6 weeks (+ 4 weeks extension possible). Every doctor/hospital has one. (2) Healthcare Disputes Body — binding ruling for unresolved disputes. 088-444 5150, costs €52.50, decision within 6 months. (3) IGJ (Healthcare Inspection) 088-120 5000 — report serious patient danger (medical error, sexual misconduct, neglect). (4) Disciplinary tribunal for serious disciplinary complaints about doctor/nurse — sanctions up to professional disqualification. (5) Slachtofferhulp Nederland 0900-0101 for emotional support. Important: note facts, date, names immediately after incident. Request medical file (free via patient.nl).
Step by step
- 1Request your medical fileLegal right (Wgbo art. 7:456 BW). Free copy via patient.nl or at front desk. Read calmly, mark inaccuracies. Store safely.
- 2Institution complaints officerEvery healthcare institution has a complaints officer (free, independent). Ask at front desk or find on website. Submit verbally or in writing, response within 6 weeks.
- 3IGJ for serious dangerFor suspected medical error with injury, sexual misconduct, or systematic neglect: report immediately to IGJ 088-120 5000 (24/7). IGJ can start investigation and freeze institution.
- 4Healthcare Disputes BodyUnresolved after 6 weeks? Online via degeschillencommissiezorg.nl. €52.50 entry, decision within 6 months, binding for provider.
- 5Disciplinary tribunal for severe misconductFor BIG-registered providers (doctor, nurse, physio etc.): disciplinary complaint via tuchtcollege-gezondheidszorg.nl. Sanctions up to professional ban. Free to submit.
All contacts
Frequently asked questions
Can my doctor refuse my treatment?
In principle: yes, only for “good reason” (no trust relationship, insufficient expertise, conscientious objection). Required: referral. For emergency or life-threatening: never refuse. For suspected discrimination: complaint to Netherlands Institute for Human Rights.
Will I get compensation for medical error?
Possible via liability claim (hospital is insured). Burden of proof on patient: error + injury + causal link. Compensation averages €5,000–500,000 depending on severity. Slachtofferhulp + personal injury lawyer (free first consultation) help.
How long after incident can I complain?
Complaints officer: no deadline (sooner = better evidence). Disputes body: max 12 months after officer's ruling. Disciplinary tribunal: 10 years after incident. Civil: 5 years from discovery. Minors: only from age 18.
What if my GP refuses to give me a referral?
Request written justification. Second opinion from another GP (insurer covers). Refusal without reason: complaint to complaints officer, possibly IGJ. Emergency: directly to ER without referral allowed.
What if the healthcare provider is slow to respond?
Legally: 6 weeks for response, one extension of 4 weeks possible. On exceedance: directly to Healthcare Disputes Body — binding, free for patient.
Can I complain anonymously to IGJ?
Yes. IGJ accepts anonymous reports, but investigation is harder. For your individual outcome: not anonymous. For system improvement (risk signal for other patients): anonymous works fine.
Sources
🔎 Common search queries
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