More and more Dutch patients come to Belgium for treatment

The number of Dutch patients travelling to Belgium for medical treatment has increased 14% over the past three years, reports Dutch News. Belgium is also popular with patients from Germany, France, the UK and Luxembourg, a report by the patient mobility observatory shows. The latest figures cover the years 2007 to 2011, during which period the number of Dutch patients travelling to Belgium rose from 26,452 to 30,152. Orthopaedic treatment, such as hip or knee replacements, are the most common treatments sought by the Dutch; while there is a waiting list for these operations in the Netherlands, there isn’t one in Belgium. Heart operations, caesarean sections and hysterectomies also feature high on the list. Most Dutch males going to Belgium for treatment are aged 60 to 64, while women are more likely to be between 35 and 44 years old.