Emergencies and urgent care in the Netherlands

Call 112 for danger to life, property or security: cardiac or respiratory arrest, loss of consciousness, severe bleeding, severe chest pain, suspected stroke, choking, a serious accident, fire, or a crime in progress.

• The operator asks which service you need (ambulance, police or fire brigade) then your exact address and what happened.
• Speak clearly and calmly, answer the questions and do not hang up until the operator tells you, since they may guide you in first aid.
• The operator can roughly locate you but state the address and house number.
• If your language is weak say English or the language and they will try to provide an interpreter.

For the police in non-urgent cases call 0900-8844, and for anonymous crime reporting Meld Misdaad Anoniem on 0800-7000.

• For the poison information centre (NVIC) call 030-274 8888 when a harmful substance has been swallowed.
• For suicide prevention the 113 line (0900-0113), and for the domestic violence helpline Veilig Thuis on 0800-2000, which is free, confidential and works around the clock.
• For urgent mental health you can call your GP or the crisis service.
• Save these numbers in your phone and tell your family members.
• Local numbers are assigned for water and gas in serious failures.

When the matter is urgent but not life-threatening, such as a high fever in a child, severe abdominal pain, a wound needing stitches, a urinary infection or a flare of a chronic illness, and your GP's practice is closed, call the out-of-hours GP centre (huisartsenpost) in your area.

• The number is found on your practice's site or its phone message.
• The staff member assesses your condition and may give you an appointment at the centre, a home visit or advice to wait.
• Do not go without calling, since patients may not be received without an appointment.
• This visit does not count against the annual deductible.
• And in doubt call and do not wait.

The emergency department (spoedeisende hulp) receives serious cases after 112 or with a referral from the on-duty doctor, and patients are ordered by the seriousness of their condition and not by arrival, so you may wait for hours if your condition is less serious.

• Do not go directly without a referral except in severe danger, since non-urgent patients will be directed to the on-duty doctor.
• Bring your ID, insurance card and a list of your medicines and allergies.
• If you do not understand ask for an interpreter.
• The cost is covered by basic insurance and counts against the annual deductible.
• And ask before leaving about instructions and follow-up appointments.

Learn basic first aid in a short course offered by the Dutch Red Cross (Rode Kruis) or local centres: cardiopulmonary resuscitation, stopping bleeding and treating burns and choking.

• In many public places there are automated external defibrillators (AED) that anyone can use with voice guidance, and there are apps such as HartslagNu that alert nearby trained volunteers.
• Keep at home a first-aid kit, a thermometer, a list of medicines and allergies, and emergency numbers on the fridge.
• And know your address in Dutch to say it clearly.
• And teach older children how to call 112.

What is the emergency number in the Netherlands?