To find a GP you need to ask your insurance company to provide you with a list of doctors in your postcode area (the idea being that a GP is only 10 minutes away in case of house calls). You can also ask around and get recommendations from friends who live in your area, but be prepared for the fact that many GPs are already full and you might have to search a little for one willing to accept patients. The Administrative Committee for the Coordination of English Speaking Services, ACCESS, is a very helpful non-profit organisation that provides free assistance to English speakers relocating to the Netherlands (www.access-nl.org, 020 423 32 17). They can also give you a list of English-speaking doctors in your area. The GP treats general, non-surgical health problems, including conducting standard gynaecological and paediatric examinations. You can ask to see a specialist for these services, but before seeking advice from any specialist you must first get a referral letter from your GP. If your GP feels it’s necessary, he or she will provide an official letter and refer you to the appropriate specialist. You will also need this referral letter to organise your insurance payments. It’s up to you to contact the specialist to make the appointment, and it can take weeks until one becomes available, unless it’s an urgent matter. You can make an appointment with a specialist without seeing your GP first, but you must first check with your insurance company to see if they will cover the cost without a doctor’s referral, or be prepared to pay the cost yourself.