Bergman Clinics is the first chain of focus clinics to join the Dutch National Healthcare Reserve [Nationale Zorgreserve]. The collaboration with this network of (former) healthcare professionals who can be deployed in crisis situations was formally confirmed at the beginning of July.
The National Healthcare Reserve, an initiative that grew out of the COVID-19 pandemic, consists of more than 4,000 healthcare reservists who can assist in situations such as a pandemic or a natural disaster. The network is coordinated by the Extra ZorgSamen foundation, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports. Reservists are supported with training and education, ensuring they remain deployable when healthcare pressure increases.
Through this collaboration, Bergman Clinics aims to contribute to the continuity of care in times of crisis. The organization actively informs (former) employees about the opportunity to register as healthcare reservists and helps raise awareness of the network. In this way, the initiative aligns with the NPM participation's broader commitment to socially relevant partnerships. According to HR Director Fleur Joanknecht, the partnership offers employees the opportunity to utilize their healthcare experience outside of their daily work: “These kinds of agreements are desperately needed in our healthcare system. I think it's crucial that our people can also express their passion for healthcare in this way, which extends far beyond their daily work. As a reserve officer in the Royal Netherlands Navy, I am naturally extra proud of this partnership.” Charlotte de Schepper, director of the National Healthcare Reserve, called the inclusion of Bergman Clinics as the first chain of focus clinics “an important step.”
Source: bergmanclinics.nl
