WILLEMSTAD - On 21 November 2019, the Court of First Instance ruled in a summary proceeding brought against the country by the Association of Medical Specialists.

The Court of First Instance ruled that abrupt introduction of an age limit - without transitional provisions - to members of the association is not lawful.

The subject of the summary proceedings was the "National Decree on Further Criteria for Healthcare Contracts", which will come into effect on 1 January 2020. In that national decree an age limit of 65 years is included above which medical specialists can no longer treat SVB (Social Insurance Bank) patients. The Country explained at the hearing that a transitional arrangement is now being prepared, with a transitional period of three years.

In the summary proceedings it has been decided that the national decree may only be applied to the members of the association if the transitional arrangement has been introduced.