Building a nationwide healthcare data network in the Netherlands

The Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport (VWS) has launched an ambitious transition plan to establish a nationwide healthcare data network (LDN), aiming for full national data availability by 2035. This initiative is poised to reshape the Dutch healthcare system, driving greater integration, efficiency, and patient-centric care.

Having worked with healthcare organizations in Finland and the Netherlands, we understand the complexity of making this kind of shift a reality. Based on our experience, it's crucial to recognise that achieving this vision isn’t just about technology – it's about aligning stakeholders, evolving ways of working, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

From similar large-scale transformations, we’ve learned that early alignment and a clear operational roadmap are essential. Healthcare professionals and organisations should be aware that significant technical and organizational changes will be required – and preparing for them now will be key to long-term success.

Laying the foundations for a connected healthcare system

To realize this vision, several key components must be implemented:

Adoption of the Twiin Agreement System: As the cornerstone of trust agreements in healthcare, this framework ensures secure and standardized data exchange across providers.

Collaboration with the CumuluZ coalition: A strategic partnership designed to build the essential infrastructure for seamless connectivity between healthcare institutions.

Establishment of a national trust system: A robust legal and technical framework to maintain trust among stakeholders while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Development of generic functions: Standardized data exchange processes that enhance interoperability, enabling different systems to communicate effectively.

The transition plan will be built with adaptability in mind, allowing for adjustments as technology advances and regulations evolve. Trust and security remain central to the initiative, with measures such as the European Health Data Space (EHDS) opt-out for citizens and standardized data formats supporting AI-driven applications.

Impact on digital health innovations

As the LDN takes shape, its impact on digital health innovation is expected to be transformative:

Accelerating AI and research: Standardized and accessible health data will fuel AI-driven diagnostics, predictive analytics, and medical research, leading to more efficient and personalized care.

Smooth data integration: Improved connectivity between healthcare providers will facilitate real-time, cross-institutional patient care, minimizing redundancies and enhancing treatment outcomes.

Strengthening integrated patient services: Enhancing the patient experience and engagement while giving individuals greater control over their health data. Improved care coordination and continuity will lead to increased efficiency and a reduced workload for healthcare staff.

Boosting collaboration and innovation: A unified infrastructure will foster partnerships among health tech companies, hospitals, and research institutions, driving innovations in healthcare delivery.

Ensuring regulatory compliance and security: Robust trust frameworks will safeguard patient privacy and align EU regulations, ensuring a secure data-sharing ecosystem.

Together, these advancements will create a smarter, data-driven healthcare landscape, strengthening existing coalitions and positioning the Netherlands at the forefront of digital health transformation.

Expert perspectives on the transition

While the transition plan provides a clear roadmap, insights from healthcare professionals are crucial to its successful implementation. A 2021 survey by the Netherlands Patients Federation revealed that 97% of patients are open to sharing their health data if they’re informed about its use. However, the views of healthcare professionals on this transition remain underexplored.

Stephanie Wijbrandts, director of Regional Electronic Network (REN) West Brabant, underscores the necessity of standardization in digital data exchange. While the Electronic Data Exchange in Healthcare Act (Wegiz) aims to improve data availability, she notes that interoperability challenges persist due to disparate systems among healthcare providers.

Dr. Carla Meeuwis, a radiologist at Rijnstate Hospital, highlights the importance of healthcare professionals in shaping user-friendly information systems. She notes that while the EHDS will significantly improve data availability, its success depends on direct input from medical practitioners to ensure usability and effectiveness.

Lessons from Finland's digital health success

Finland provides a valuable benchmark for nationwide healthcare data interoperability. By implementing a centralized electronic health record (EHR) system, Finland has streamlined data exchange and improved healthcare efficiency. Having worked with many Finnish healthcare providers, we’ve found that these are the most important lessons for the Netherlands:

A unified EHR system: The Kanta Services platform consolidated fragmented local systems into a national repository, enabling real-time data sharing across providers.
Strong digital identity & patient portals: Secure authentication and patient-accessible platforms like MyKanta enhance transparency and patient empowerment.
Public-private collaboration: Government-led initiatives, coupled with private-sector innovation, have fostered scalable, interoperable digital healthcare solutions.

Where should hospitals start – the next steps

As the Netherlands moves toward a nationwide healthcare data network and the European Health Data Space (EHDS), hospitals play a critical role in laying the groundwork for future-ready digital infrastructure. To build readiness, hospitals can focus on three key areas:

Expand beyond the primary EHR vendor: While most hospitals depend heavily on their core EHR provider, embracing a broader digital ecosystem is essential. By piloting solutions from alternative vendors, particularly in targeted areas like disease-specific care pathways or digital therapeutics, hospitals can foster greater innovation and flexibility.
Adopt agile procurement and vendor strategies: Traditional long-term, monolithic contracts can hinder rapid digital advancement. Hospitals should consider modular procurement models that enable faster onboarding of interoperable, niche health tech solutions, supporting a more dynamic and responsive digital environment.
Enhance internal digital capabilities and clinical engagement: Active clinician involvement in the design and evaluation of digital tools is key to ensuring relevance and adoption. Simultaneously, investing in internal expertise around interoperability standards, data governance, and secure identity management will help hospitals stay aligned with national and European regulatory frameworks.

Quick recap

The Dutch Ministry of Health’s commitment to establishing a nationwide healthcare data network by 2035 marks a significant step toward a more connected and efficient healthcare system. Success will depend on active collaboration among all stakeholders, particularly healthcare professionals, to address practical challenges and refine implementation strategies. By learning from proven models like Finland and emphasizing standardization and interoperability, the Netherlands is well-positioned for the future of digital health innovation.