WILLEMSTAD - In May, the Emergency Room treated over 1,811 patients. More than half of these cases, approximately 56 percent, arrived without a referral from a general practitioner. This figure is significant considering that the General Practitioner's Office (Huisartsenpost, HAP) was established to alleviate pressure on the Emergency Room.  

This was reported by the CMC in its latest update. In most instances, patients require a referral from their general practitioner. Only in clear emergency situations can individuals directly visit the Emergency Room. The hospital's Emergency Room is designated for serious cases that require the expertise of a medical specialist. The CMC anticipates a decrease in "self-referrals" in the short term.