Maternity care (Kraamzorg) in the Netherlands is facing significant challenges due to a growing shortage of staff. According to a new report, many pregnant women and new mothers are receiving fewer hours of care than they need. The Health Care and Youth Inspectorate warns that this trend poses risks, particularly for families in vulnerable situations.
Declining support
The research, conducted by the RIVM, Zorginstituut Nederland, and the inspectorate, suggests that while the quality of care remains high, the volume of support is declining. The demand for home-based maternity care is rising, partly because hospitals are discharging patients sooner after they give birth.
On average, the recommended minimum for maternity care is 24 hours. However, the study found that 21 per cent of vulnerable families, those facing challenges such as debt, low income, or language barriers, received less than this minimum. In comparison, only 8 per cent of other families received fewer than the recommended hours. The inspectorate emphasises that adequate care is vital for a healthy start, especially for those already dealing with social or financial difficulties.
Tailored support and regional differences
In response to these findings, Zorginstituut Nederland is calling for a shift away from standard hourly packages. Instead, they suggest that care should be tailored to the specific needs of each family. The inspectorate also recommends better professional cooperation to make the most of limited staff capacity.
While the number of care hours has fallen across the country, the impact is most severe in South Limburg and Zeeland. In these regions, the average amount of care provided has dropped by more than seven hours in some cases. Further research by the RIVM later this year will examine why certain groups consistently receive less support.
A new report reveals that many families in the Netherlands are receiving less maternity care than recommended due to severe staff shortages. The decline in support hours is particularly pronounced among vulnerable groups and in specific regions such as Zeeland and South Limburg. Experts are now calling for a more flexible approach to ensure all newborns get a healthy start.
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