The Dutch government will create 66 additional places for medical students from the next academic year. This decision reverses a previous reduction in training places. By 2027, total places will reach 3,050, up from the current 2,984.
The advisory body Capaciteitsorgaan recommended 3,330 places. The advisory body calculated this higher target by assessing practical demand for junior doctors alongside postgraduate training needs.
Minister Rianne Letschert of Education, Culture and Science wrote to parliament explaining the decision. She stated that the government recognises the need for doctors but opted to follow the advisory report only partially. She noted that the advisory body described its estimate as indicative due to uncertainties in its new projection model.
The government will also create 28 additional training places for dental hygienists from the 2027/2028 academic year. This expansion fully aligns with advisory recommendations, raising the total number of places to 381.
However, the minister confirmed that the government cannot expand training places for dentists. The advisory body recommended 386 places for dentists, up from the current 279. The minister explained that expanding dentist training remains too expensive.
In addition, the government accepted recommendations to expand places for nurse specialists and physician assistants. Health Minister Mirjam Sterk previously announced an increase in places for healthcare psychologists.
@ anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
