ING healthcare report April 2026 – Digital healthcare in the Netherlands has great potential but is held back by fragmentation and a confusing patient experience. While people use digital tools for 90% of banking and 94% of travel, only 10% use a digital Personal Health Environment (PGO). Patients find it hard to manage many different systems from various healthcare providers. A central digital ‘front door’ is needed to combine appointments, medicines, health data, and communication. The European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulation, starting in 2025 with deadlines in 2027 and 2031, requires standardisation. Early adoption of standards will prevent future issues.

The solution is to scale proven platforms nationally and create a single integrated access point. Three initiatives show the way: Digizorg (patient app, provider workspace), Zorg bij jou (hybrid home care with remote monitoring), and Zorgviewer (secure access to external patient data). Scaling these will boost efficiency, avoid duplication, and support cross-organisational care.

The biggest hurdle isn’t technology, but division. Without strong national plans, regional efforts waste resources. Success needs shared investment: healthcare groups must link to national systems, insurers must allow digital care in contracts, the government must speed up standards and infrastructure, and businesses must offer scalable tools. Digital health is now key to accessible, affordable, quality care.