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An important step in guaranteeing the quality of patient transport.

On 12 May, NFK signed the Covenant on quality guidelines for patient transport together with patient and client organisations, carriers and health insurers. With this we have taken an important step in guaranteeing the quality of patient transport. NFK, the Dutch Kidney Patients Association (NVN), Elke(in) and the Dutch Patients Federation (PFN) signed the covenant on behalf of the joint patient and client organisations, Royal Dutch Transport (KNV) on behalf of carriers and Zorgverzekeraars Nederland (ZN) on behalf of insurers.

In the new quality guidelines, the conditions with which the transport must comply. This concerns, among other things, treatment, accessibility for making appointments, driving on time and guidance. The handling of complaints is also regulated in the guideline. In addition, it has been laid down that the taxi driver is responsible until the door of the hospital. If you need help within the hospital to get to the ward, that is the responsibility of the hospital. By signing this covenant, all parties have agreed to jointly monitor this. The framework is a basis for good quality transport for an adequate fee.

Poor quality seated patient transport

In 2019, the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport had received several signals from KNV, FNV Taxi, the Kidney Foundation and PFN, among others, about the low prices that health insurers would use when purchasing seated patient transport. For that reason, the quality could no longer be guaranteed. The Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) was asked to conduct an exploration with parties into possible problems in the procurement of patient transport.

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On behalf of the NZa, NFK started the Donate Your Experience 'How do (former) cancer patients experience taxi transport to the hospital?'† NFK has asked people who have (had) cancer how they experience the quality of taxi transport to the hospital. They were also asked about the accessibility of the taxi company and whether the taxi arrived on time. Advocate Pauline Evers has contributed the results of the Doneer Je Experience to discussions with health insurers and other relevant parties, in order to work with them on improving the quality of taxi transport. After a thorough consultation process, this has now resulted in the new quality framework.

Cancer patients are always reimbursed within the basic insurance for transport in connection with treatment with radiotherapy, chemotherapy or immunotherapy and the associated check-ups. This is laid down in the healthcare law† More information about transport to the hospital can be found on cancer.nl.

Photos: Dutch Federation of Cancer Patient Organizations (NFK)

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