Netherlands still without enough ICU beds, now fewer than during Covid pandemic

The Netherlands remains short of the intensive care capacity target set after the coronavirus pandemic, with hospitals currently operating between 850 and 900 ICU beds, according to figures from the Ministry of Health and the Dutch Association for Intensive Care (NVIC). That is below the 1,150-bed target set by the Tweede Kamer following the pandemic and also lower than capacity levels reached during the pandemic itself.

During Covid-19, ICU units were under severe pressure. Former Prime Minister Mark Rutte (VVD) told the parliamentary inquiry that the Netherlands had “been through the eye of the needle,” adding there was “just no code black,” referring to a situation in which demand exceeds capacity and doctors must decide who receives treatment.

After the pandemic, the government agreed the country must be better prepared for a health crisis, setting a target of at least 1,150 ICU beds. Within the Integrated Care Agreement, 35 million euros was allocated to expand intensive care capacity. In 2024, MPs Diederik van Dijk (SGP) and Julian Bushoff (PRO) secured a parliamentary majority for reaching that target.

Bushoff said the current situation is unacceptable. “That is fewer than before corona and we saw then how important ICU capacity is,” he said, adding that there are now not even enough beds for “a severe flu season.”

Van Dijk said undercapacity reflects structural staffing problems. “We also have to be realistic: there is a personnel shortage,” he said. “Make sure you have a number of people who work somewhere in healthcare, but who are also specialized, so that you can assign them to the ICU in case of emergency.”

René Claassen of the Groep Markuszower party, who previously worked as an ICU nurse, said ICU beds require “a lot of specialized personnel.” He also called for healthcare workers who are “broadly trained” and can be deployed flexibly.

Health Minister Fleur Agema Hermans (VVD) has said she is exploring whether a legal minimum number of ICU beds can be established.

ICU physician Diederik Gommers called that proposal a “very bad plan” during testimony before the Covid inquiry, arguing that staffing shortages make it unworkable. “Then you are talking about a shortage of almost 800 to 1,000 nurses that you come up short,” he said.