Supervision by the Dutch Healthcare Inspectorate

The Dutch Healthcare Inspectorate's (Inspectie voor de Gezondheidszorg) supervisory activities are based on proportional use of the instruments. The primary instruments it uses are advice and encouragement. If these do not achieve the desired result, it can implement corrective action by, for example, enhancing its supervision or through agreements limiting the ability to practise a profession. Recourse to disciplinary or administrative measures can be sought, if necessary. There is a tendency to use statutory instruments, which means greater equality before the law and greater legal certainty. It is important in this respect for the Inspectorate to make its considerations more uniform, transparent and predictable.