How does the GP medical station work?

Always call first

You cannot just drop by the GP medical station. You should always call first. Then you will get the help you need the fastest. If you call the number of the Tilburg/Waalwijk medical station, 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.

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?

Are you not calling for yourself? Then pass on all the details of that person. 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 also wants to ask the patient (doctor’s assistant or nurse) a few questions himself.

What can you expect?

When you call, you will get a triage nurse (doctor’s assistant or 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 three possibilities:

• You will receive advice by telephone. The triage nurse will explain self-care advice over the phone. This has been checked by the GP.
• The triage nurse will make an appointment for you at the GP medical station in Tilburg or Waalwijk. There, a general practitioner or nurse specialist/physician assistant will examine you.
• The GP will visit you at home. A home visit only happens if you cannot come to the medical station yourself for medical reasons.