ACM clears merger between two rural Dutch hospitals

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has cleared the merger between two rural hospitals in the eastern part of the Netherlands: the Slingeland Hospital in the town of Doetinchem and the Queen Beatrix Regional Hospital (SKB) in the town of Winterswijk.

ACM’s assessment of the merger plans revealed that few patients see these two hospitals as each other’s alternatives. Patients preferably visit the hospital closest to them, which is either the Slingeland Hospital or SKB. However, if patients do not visit the hospital in their own region, they are more likely to visit a hospital in other, nearby towns such as Enschede, Zevenaar, Arnhem or Zutphen than the other merger hospital. This means that there is relatively little competition between these two merger hospitals. In practice, the merger would not change much for patients.

ACM has additionally established that, if the merger were not to take place, health care options would be further reduced, especially those offered by SKB. This can be explained in part by the region’s ageing population, as well as by the population’s move from these rural areas to urban areas. Without this merger, what little competition there currently is between these two hospitals would only decrease further.

What do health insurers and patient organizations say about this merger?

Health insurers and the patient organizations of both hospitals are positive about this merger. They all say that the merger seems to be necessary for maintaining hospital care in the region. Furthermore, health insurers conclude that not much will change in their means to negotiate with these hospitals. After all, patients hardly choose between these two hospitals, but go to different ones instead. Health insurers cite another benefit: the merger would create a stronger hospital, thereby creating more competitive pressure on other hospitals in the region.