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In the Netherlands, the provision of healthcare services by individual practitioners is regulated by the Wet op de beroepen in de individuele gezondheidszorg (Individual Healthcare Professions Act), generally known by its Dutch acronym, ‘BIG’.
The BIG Act The purpose of this legislation is to safeguard and promote the quality of care services. It also protects patients against inexpert or negligent treatment by a healthcare provider.
The Individual Healthcare Professions Act (BIG Act) regulates two specific groups of healthcare professions. These groups are known by the numbers of the articles in which they are listed in the act: ‘Article 3 professions’ and ‘Article 34 professions’.
Article 3 professions The requirements for education, training and the specific areas of expertise for Article 3 professions are established by various government directives. The professional title is legally protected, whereby anyone wishing to use such a title must first be registered in the BIG-register. These professions are subject to disciplinary rules and Codes of Conduct.
Article 34 professions The education, training and the specific areas of expertise for Article 34 professions are also established by law. However, there is no official register. Anyone who is able to meet the stated requirements is able to use the (protected) professional title.
The complete text of the Act (in Dutch) and the underlying legislation are published on the central government website www.wetten.overheid.nl
Dentist Doctor Healthcare psychologist Midwife Nurse Pharmacists Physiotherapist Psychotherapist
Pharmacist’s assistant Dietician Occupational therapist Skin therapist Clinical physicist Speech therapist Oral hygienist Cesar therapist Mensendieck method therapist Optometrist Orthopodist Podiatrist Radiodiagnostics laboratory technician Radiotherapeutics laboratory technician Dental technician (‘denturist’) Nurse in individual healthcare (‘private nurse’)
European directives Within Europe, reciprocal agreements have been made with regard to the recognition and accreditation of professional diplomas. These agreements are established by various European Directives which have been incorporated into the relevant Dutch legislation.
Disciplinary rules A healthcare provider is obliged to work with due care and to provide services of good quality. This applies not only to the treatment itself, but to the personal interaction with patients and their families.
The professions listed in Article 3 of the BIG Act are subject to disciplinary rules: clinical psychologist, dentist, doctor, midwife, nurse, pharmacist, physiotherapist and psychotherapist Any patient who considers that a practitioner has not fulfilled his professional obligations may submit a complaint to the relevant authority.
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