UZ Brussel and UZ Leuven charge hefty surcharges for faster dermatologist appointments
Patients at UZ Brussel and UZ Leuven hospitals can secure a quicker consultation for skin problems if they are willing to pay supplements, according to study by De Standaard.
At UZ Leuven, patients either wait six months for an appointment or pay a 150 per cent surcharge to be seen immediately. UZ Brussel allows patients to bypass the dermatology department’s block on new patients by paying an additional 50 euros.
Moreover, those seeking botox or fillers are prioritised over general dermatology patients. Aesthetic dermatology, which is more profitable, grants appointments up to three months earlier than those for medical skin conditions.
"Such systems increase inequality"
"It is shocking that those who pay more get help faster," said Laura Jame, policy officer at the Flemish Patient Platform. "Such systems increase inequality."
UZ Leuven acknowledged that consultation slots tend to open up more quickly when supplements are charged. UZ Brussel, however, denies giving priority to aesthetic consultations and treatments.
"This concerns less than 5 per cent of our consultations; they do not have a significant impact on the waiting time for other patients,” said Jan Gutermuth, head of the dermatology department at UZ Brussel.
#FlandersNewsService | © PHOTO FRED TANNEAU / AFP
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