Licences under the Special Medical Procedures Act
Some medical procedures, like open heart surgery and certain organ transplants, are highly specialised. Only designated hospitals with a licence are allowed to carry them out. This is laid down in the Special Medical Procedures Act.
Conditions for a special medical procedures licence
A hospital or clinic that wants a licence to carry out a special medical procedure must meet several conditions. These conditions are set by the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport and laid down in so-called planning orders.
For every special procedure, the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport decides how many hospitals or clinics can get a licence. There is a separate order for each type of procedure. If the hospital or clinic does not meet the conditions for licensing, the Minister will revoke their licence.
The Special Medical Procedures Order (in Dutch) lists all the medical procedures that fall under the act.