Eleven hospitals in the Netherlands are not in a good financial position, which threatens to jeopardise care. Smaller hospitals in particular are struggling with higher debts and dwindling buffers.
11 hospitals fail stress test
The financial situation of these eleven hospitals became apparent following the results of a stress test by BDO Accountants. This test was based on the financial reports of 2018, and academic hospitals were not included. The test says nothing about how well hospitals are performing medically, according to NOS. Stress tests are usually computer simulations applied to institutions (like hospitals) on the basis of their past record to see how they would cope with a future financial situation.
Five have failed test three years in a row
Five of the eleven hospitals in question have failed the stress test three years in a row. At the bottom of the list is the LangeLand Hospital in Zoetermeer. Furthermore, the financial situation of the Haga Hospital in The Hague, the Maas Maas Hospital Pantein, the Zaans Medical Center, the Twente hospital group, the Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital in Nijmegen and the Limburg Zuyderland are worrying, according to the report.
Half of Dutch hospitals scored an 8 or higher
However, on the plus side, there are three fewer hospitals in the danger zone than last year. And half of Dutch hospitals are scoring an 8 or higher on this stress test. Overall, the hospitals got a 7.4 on the test, in comparison to a 7.1 the year before. Nevertheless, according to BDO, there is still a “risk of care” though not an acute one, especially when some hospitals are repeatedly failing stress tests year after year.
Rising insurance costs and profits for insurance companies
Dutch healthcare has been going through some interesting financial times lately. Last week, it was revealed that 85 healthcare companies have experienced unusually high profit margins– well into the double digits. At the same time, health insurance premiums have risen.
What do you think about Dutch hospitals failing financial stress tests? And what has your experience of Dutch healthcare been thus far? Let us know in the comments below.
Feature image: gcasasola/Pxhere
