Campus without physician in future

The UT has not been able to find a physician for the general practitioners' practice on campus. The present substitute will remain at his station until the end of the year. After that students and employees have to look somewhere else for medical care. Jan Melief, director Student Services & Campus (DiSC): 'We will try and accommodate the group of patients needing frequent medical care at another practice. There is a good chance that we will succeed.'

Another solution has to be found for the group that only occasionally needs a doctor. Melief: 'We do not know exactly what. It may be that we will make agreements with a couple of practices that students and staff can appeal to them if necessary. Or perhaps a doctor can come to the UT for a couple of hours each week to help people and if necessary refer them to specialists. We will have to look into that.' All patients will get a personal letter concerning this issue in the coming months.

The plans were reported to the University Council before the summer holiday. According to Ernstjan van Doorn, vice-chairperson of Campus Coalitie, the council will not acknowledge defeat that easily. 'We feel that we have gained little insight into what has been tried to make the practice profitable or privatise it. In addition, the plans to accommodate students with other physicians is really unclear. That is why we have asked the executive board for more information. Our aim is to maintain a general practitioner's practice on campus. Part time if need be.'

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