Huisartsenposten

Huisartsenposten are after-hours general practitioner posts in the Netherlands that provide urgent primary care when regular GP practices are closed, such as in the evenings, at night, weekends, and on holidays. They are intended to handle non-life-threatening conditions that still require prompt medical attention and to relieve pressure on hospital emergency departments.

Organization and staffing vary by region, but posts are typically operated by regional GP cooperatives or as part of hospital emergency services. They are staffed by general practitioners, practice nurses, and medical assistants, who work in rotation to cover the after-hours period. The posts coordinate with local GP practices and hospitals to ensure continuity of care and access to patient records when needed.

Access and workflow usually begin with a centralized telephone triage outside normal office hours. A triage nurse or assistant assesses the complaint by phone and determines urgency. Depending on the assessment, the patient may be offered a same-day appointment at the post, a home visit if travel is not feasible, or, in non-urgent cases, advice and guidance to wait until a regular practice reopens. In life-threatening situations, the caller is directed to emergency medical services or the hospital.

Services typically include consultations for common illnesses, minor injuries, wound care, and medication requests, along with basic examinations or procedures when appropriate. The posts do not replace long-term management with a patient’s own GP, and referral to regular care or specialist services may follow as needed.

Regional variations exist in hours, procedures, and organization. The system is funded through the Dutch health insurance framework and local healthcare authorities, with general practice groups playing a central coordinating role.