How does the GP medical station work?

First go through the questions (Do I have to go to the doctor?)

You cannot just drop by the GP medical station. The GP medical station is only intended for complaints that cannot wait until the next working day. First, go through a few questions on this website to assess whether you should contact them. Then you will get the help you need the fastest. If you are advised to call and you call the number of the GP emergency station De Bevelanden (Goes), Schouwen-Duiveland (Zierikzee) or Walcheren (Middelburg), you will hear a short menu. In the event of a potentially life-threatening situation, choose 1. We will help you as a priority.

Data at hand when you call

Do you call the medical station? Then make sure you have the following information at hand:

• your Citizen Service Number (BSN). This is on your ID (passport, identity card or driver’s license) and has 9 digits;
• date of birth, address and telephone number;
• the name of your GP or GP practice.

On the phone, you may also be asked about:

• your medical history (insofar as relevant to your request for help);
• medication you may be taking.

Are you calling for someone else?

If possible, have the patient contact the medical station himself. Is this not possible? Then provide all the details of the person who needs help. Also make sure you are near the patient when you call. You can then describe the symptoms as well as possible. Sometimes the triage nurse (doctor’s assistant or nurse) also wants to ask the patient a few questions himself.

What can you expect?

When you call, you will get a triage nurse on the phone. A triage nurse has extensive medical knowledge and is specially trained to quickly determine how serious your symptoms are and what is needed. If necessary, this is done in consultation with the general practitioner who is on duty at the medical station. There are the following options:

1. Telephone advice. You will receive an explanation and telephone advice from the triagist, (checked afterwards by the GP). This is also called a triage consultation.
2. Consultation. The triage nurse will make an appointment for you at the GP medical station. There, a general practitioner or nurse specialist/physician assistant will examine you. 
3. Telephone consultation. The general practitioner or nurse specialist/physician assistant will call you back. This is also called a digital consultation, via video calling or by telephone.
4. Visitors. The GP will visit you at home. A visit is only possible if you cannot come to the GP post for medical reasons. 

Recipes

Normally, patients arrange repeat prescriptions with their own GP. Only in urgent cases is it possible for the GP on duty to prescribe a repeat prescription. The doctor will then prescribe as many medicines as necessary until the next consultation hour of your own GP. Please note that the pharmacy charges extra outside office hours.