For healthcare professionals
Working together on the best women’s healthcare
Femmecare is a specialist clinic for secondary-care women’s healthcare. GPs can refer their patients to us easily. Our clinic is readily accessible, offers short waiting times and high-quality medical specialist care, fully covered by Dutch basic health insurance.
Why Femmecare?
- Short waiting times and rapid diagnostics
- Medical specialists with years of experience
- A personal and respectful approach
- Fully covered by Dutch basic health insurance
- Trusted cooperation and clear communication with referrers
For referrers
A valuable link in the care chain
Femmecare provides high-quality secondary care for women with gynaecological symptoms. We are a valuable link for GPs, occupational health physicians and tertiary-care specialists looking for an efficient, patient-centred and accessible care partner.
For GPs
We offer diagnosis and treatment for symptoms that require specialist attention but not immediate hospital admission, such as cycle disorders, menopause symptoms or fitting an IUD. Our short waiting times and personal approach keep the threshold low for the patient and leave the referrer in charge.
For occupational health physicians
Femmecare helps speed up the diagnosis and treatment of women with symptoms that affect their ability to work, such as heavy bleeding or hormonal imbalance. Our rapid access and clear feedback support a sustainable return to work.
For specialists
Hospital care can become overloaded with patients who have benign gynaecological symptoms not requiring highly specialised intervention. Femmecare is a suitable place to transfer this care: professional, safe and efficiently organised.
Treatments offered
Indications for referral
We focus on the diagnosis and treatment of gynaecological symptoms in women at every stage of life.
Menstruation, hormones & contraception
- Menopause symptoms
An extensive intake by a specialist doctor, focused on safe hormone therapy and, where needed, multidisciplinary support.
- Heavy menstrual bleeding and cycle disorders
Intake and physical examination, supplemented where needed with ultrasound or blood tests. Hysteroscopy or endometrial ablation (Cerene) where appropriate.
- Postmenopausal bleeding
Investigation for endometrial carcinoma and for treatable benign abnormalities.
- Contraception advice and IUD fitting
Including medically complex choices, a difficult or failed fitting, non-visible threads and contraception around the menopause.
Uterus, adnexa & pelvic floor
- Uterus myomatosus (fibroids)
Physical examination and internal ultrasound.
- Endometrial hyperplasia
Timely diagnosis and treatment, with and without atypia.
- Benign adnexal abnormalities
Ultrasound and, where needed, blood tests to assess the nature of the abnormality.
- Prolapse (prolapse)
Gynaecological examination and suitable treatment, such as pelvic physiotherapy or a pessary.
Cervix, vulva & vagina
- Abnormal cervical cytology (CIN)
Colposcopy with biopsy and, where needed, loop excision (LLETZ), in accordance with the Dutch NVOG guideline.
- Vulval clinic and pruritus vulvae
A clinic for vulval symptoms, such as itching, pain or skin abnormalities.
- Lichen sclerosus
Treatment by gynaecologists with expertise in vulval pathology, with a biopsy where needed.
- Fluor vaginalis
Examination with a vaginal culture or pH measurement where needed, including for recurrent or unclear symptoms.
- Genitopelvic pain
Diagnosis and treatment of dyspareunia and vaginismus.
Specific care requests
- Paediatric gynaecology
Consultations for girls aged 0 to 18 with persistent or complex symptoms, in a small-scale, quiet clinic.
- Missed miscarriage
Non-viable pregnancy up to 16 weeks. Support in a fixed weekly time slot reserved entirely for this care.
- General gynaecological consultation
For other gynaecological symptoms and questions.
In the clinic
Outpatient procedures
All procedures take place on an outpatient basis under local anaesthetic.
- Hysteroscopy
Diagnostic and therapeutic: removal of a polyp, a small fibroid or an IUD whose threads are not visible.
- Colposcopy with biopsy
Examination of the cervix after an abnormal smear.
- Loop excision (LLETZ)
Treatment of CIN.
- Cervical and vulval biopsy
Tissue examination for abnormalities.
- Endometrial ablation with Cerene
Outpatient treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Incision of a Bartholin’s cyst
- IUD fitting
Copper or hormonal IUD, including after a previously difficult or failed fitting.
- Diagnostics
Ultrasound in the clinic; laboratory tests through partner organisations.
Good to know
Scope of care
Femmecare is an independent treatment centre (ZBC) for planned secondary gynaecological care. If a care request falls outside our expertise or facilities, we refer promptly to the GP, the hospital or another suitable care provider.
Available at Femmecare
- Planned outpatient consultations, diagnostics and procedures
- Procedures under local anaesthetic
- Paediatric gynaecology consultations, including under the age of 16
- Available to the patient 24/7 after a procedure; complications that cannot be treated in the clinic are transferred to the hospital after consultation
Not available at Femmecare
- Acute emergency care or an A&E department
- Obstetric care
- Sedation or general anaesthesia; if this is wanted, we refer to the hospital
- Inpatient admission (no overnight stay)
- Surgical procedures in patients under the age of 16
Referring & consulting
How to refer
Referring via ZorgDomein
Refer your patient directly via ZorgDomein. Within a few working days of receiving the referral we contact the patient to arrange an appointment.
Search for ‘Femmecare Clinics’
By letter or via ZorgMail
By letter
Femmecare
Wethouder van Caldenborghlaan 43C
6226 BS Maastricht
Via ZorgMail (secure email)
Do you have questions, or would you like to discuss a case? Please feel free to contact us. We are glad to think along with you.
How we work
Appropriate and effective care
Through a stepped, indication-led approach, Femmecare ensures the right care in the right place.
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Intake with a gynaecologist or women’s health physician
The care request, presentation of symptoms, medical history and the patient’s context are assessed systematically. This doctor is the lead clinician.
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Single-discipline where possible
Care usually starts with a single discipline. In many cases this pathway is sufficient and involving other disciplines is not indicated.
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Multidisciplinary where necessary
For complex, persistent or multifactorial symptoms, the gynaecologist, psychiatrist and/or healthcare psychologist work together, with the lead clinician formally recorded and explicit evaluation points.
Single-discipline and multidisciplinary care are regarded as equivalent forms of care. This is how we prevent overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
The choice of care pathway is based solely on:
- the patient’s explicit request for help and care needs;
- the expected clinical effectiveness of the treatment pathway;
- the principles of appropriateness, proportionality and subsidiarity.
For you as a referrer this means:
- a transparent care pathway with clear indications;
- a clear division of roles;
- timely feedback on progress, outcomes and any referral back to you.
Together we provide the right care in the right place
We provide prompt and transparent feedback and are open to peer consultation.