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on a private scheme, or are uninsured, you will pay the whole lot there and then. Therefore it’s always worth checking fees before you book an appointment. DENTISTS The majority of dentists in Belgium are private, though there are those who accept partpayment on state insurance. Dentists in Belgium have an agreed fee scale agreement (known as the convention) with the social security, which sets the level of reimbursement for patients for basic treatment. Make it a priority to check when registering, as the fee differentials can be huge. For any specialist work, such as crowns and bridges, the dentist may well ask how you will pay and offer you different quotations. To qualify for health insurance reimbursement you’ll need to visit the dentist at least once a year. In the big cities, Brussels in particular, there are international dentistry practices, though they can be considerably more expensive. HOSPITALS As with general practitioners, you can arrange to see a specialist of your choice at any hospital. You can also walk into ‘emergency outpatients’ for immediate treatment; though as in other countries, do not use this as a GP replacement. You should remember to have your insurance card or other identifiable means of payment with you, though emergency treatment will not be refused if you don’t. If you’re going into hospital for a stay, take everything you need – towel and soap included – as nothing is provided. In Brussels, the eleven big public hospitals are organized under the Iris association (www.iris-hopitaux.be). EMERGENCY TREATMENT In the event of an emergency you can call 100 or 112 and an ambulance will arrive quickly and take you to the nearest emergency centre. When you call they will need to know the type of emergency, address (municipality, street, house number, locality etc.) and the number of people in danger. Sometimes, a decision may be made to admit you to the best centre suited for your needs, e.g. a specialist burns unit.
PHARMACIES Chemists are ubiquitous in Belgium – look for outlets with the green cross sign. There is a rota system for chemists to open outside of usual hours and throughout the night. Lists are available from any pharmacy, or check newspapers in your area for chemists that are open at night.
Hospitals Visit www.iris-hopitaux.be for a full listing of hospitals in Belgium. ANTWERP Algemeen Centrum Ziekenhuis Antwerpen – Campus St-Elisabeth | 03 234 4111 Leopoldstraat 26 - 2000 Antwerp www.zna.be Algemeen Centrum Ziekenhuis Antwerpen – Campus St-Erasmus | 03 270 8011 Luitenant Lippenslaan - 2140 Antwerp (Borgerhout) www.zna.be Algemeen Ziekenhuis Middelheim 03 280 3111 Lindendreef 1- 2020 Antwerp www.zna.be Algemeen Ziekenhuis St. Augustinus St. Bavo - St. Augustinus | 03 443 3011 Sint-Augustinuslaan - 2610 Wilrijk - Antwerp www.gvagroup.be Koningin Paola KinderZiekenhuis Antwerpen (Children’s Hospital) | 03 280 3111 Lindendreef 1- 2020 Antwerp www.zna.be BRUSSELS Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Brugmann Site Victor Horta (there are three different sites for Brugmann, this is the main one) 02 477 2111 place Van Gehuchten 4 - 1020 Brussels www.chu-brugmann.be
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