Youth Health Care (Jeugdgezondheidszorg, JGZ) is a national service intended for all children up to 18 years. It is free of charge.
During the first 14 days after delivery, a youth health care professional will visit you twice:
- After 4 to 7 days, your child will undergo the neonatal heel prick test and a hearing test (check this for more information).
- After 10 to 14 days, you will be visited by the Youth Health Care providers. They discuss your pregnancy, the birth, your home situation and your and your child’s general condition. During this visit, you can ask all your questions.
Baby health clinic
For the first four years of your child, you will be invited several times for an appointment at a nearby Baby Health Clinic: the ‘consultatiebureau’. The youth healthcare teams include youth doctors, youth nurses and assistants. General development of the child is discussed including:
- overall health, growth and development;
- speech, hearing, sight and movement;
- nutrition;
- upbringing and the home situation;
- Immunization
During these meetings you can ask questions or share your concerns, e.g., about (breast) feeding, care, sleep patterns and crying, colic, toilet training, temper, tantrums and parenthood.
Youth health care also offers and administers the National immunisation program that protects the children from infectious diseases.
While at school
During the schooling period, you and your child will be invited a number of times for a health and development check. Vaccinations continue until the age of 9. Girls will be offered a HPV-vaccination at the age of 12.
Depending on the region youth healthcare is provided by different organizations. The GP, midwife or maternity assistant can provide the relevant details.