The analysis of the referral data from the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) and ZorgDomein, presented on 22 October, also shows that GPs issue fewer referrals for their patients to hospital care. ‘Last week, the number of referrals to hospital care was 72% of what we would expect without a corona crisis,’ according to the NZa. That is 58 thousand fewer referrals for the entire specialist care than expected in this period.
–
The Dutch Society for Cardiology (NVVC), the Dutch Society for Neurology (NVN), expertise center Harteraad and the Heart Foundation are concerned about this development. It is not good to stay at home or walk too long with serious heart problems. Neglected and insufficiently treated heart complaints can lead to permanent damage to the heart. Acute stroke treatment can prevent permanent disability. It is not necessary to avoid the hospital in case of (acute) complaints, even now hospitals do everything they can to prevent contamination with the corona virus.
Just like in the spring, we therefore call for acute heart complaints such as chest pain, sudden shortness of breath or loss to be reported to the GP or 112. And in case of acute paralysis, speech or language disorder, you can call 112.
– .
