Dutch patients in Alicante
By:The CB Friday , Friday, May 7, 2004
More than 300 patients waiting for operations in Holland have come to Clínica Vistahermosa in Alicante to have knee-joint or hip-replacement operations. This follows an agreement between the Alicante private medical centre and Dutch national health officials. Waiting lists in Holland are so long that carrying out operations abroad seems a practical solution. However, Spanish clinics are often under-staffed so the Dutch patients come accompanied by their own medical teams. The rest of the medical team is contracted by the Spanish clinic. To date, 310 Dutch people have received operations in Clínica Vistahermosa and the number will increase. Dutch residents in Alicante will soon be able to benefit too. Clinic staff believe the agreement is very positive for both sides. “It means that everyone can gain while learning about differences,” said a spokesman.
