Beyond the Barriers: At Home in The Hague's Healthcare Sector

In recent years, many refugees, displaced persons and labour migrants with healthcare backgrounds have arrived in the Netherlands. In our research, we refer to them as international healthcare professionals. Many have educational qualifications and/or work experience in healthcare and live in The Hague, yet work outside the healthcare sector, for example in retail, agriculture, horticulture or cleaning. This is partly due to various barriers that make it difficult to enter the healthcare sector. Zorgprogramma Haaglanden plays a crucial role in addressing these barriers.

Zorgprogramma Haaglanden is a collaboration between the Municipality of The Hague, Respectzorg, ROC Mondriaan and The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS). It develops solutions for the The Hague region. These solutions are monitored through exploratory research and participatory action research conducted by the research group Urban Social Development.

The aim is to achieve a better balance between labour supply and demand in the healthcare and social care sectors and in education, ensuring that employers have sufficient staff with the right competencies. We collaborate with the Municipality of The Hague, healthcare institutions, and secondary and higher vocational education institutions.

Project Background: The Growing Gap

The healthcare sector in the Netherlands faces major challenges. Due to population ageing, demand for healthcare is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades. By 2050, the Netherlands is projected to have 5.4 million people aged 65 and over, including 2.6 million aged 80 and over.

At the same time, staff shortages are increasing rapidly, particularly in nursing and personal care. Shortages are also growing in the Haaglanden region. Fewer students are choosing healthcare programmes, while many healthcare professionals are approaching retirement age. The combination of rising healthcare needs and a shrinking workforce makes structural solutions increasingly urgent.

The widening gap between growing healthcare demand and the declining availability of healthcare professionals calls for new solutions. This is particularly important in a city such as The Hague, where the healthcare sector plays a significant economic and social role.

International healthcare professionals, with their knowledge, experience and motivation, can make an important contribution to addressing these shortages. However, they often face significant barriers when entering or re-entering the Dutch labour market.

Zorgpilot Haaglanden was established to overcome these barriers and make better use of the talents of this group. This raises research questions relevant to local policy, education and healthcare practice.

Through our research, we generate and share knowledge and insights that contribute to inclusive policies, healthcare practices and education.

Together, we are building an inclusive healthcare sector by removing barriers and making talent visible!

- Anita Ham, Senior Researcher

Objectives

Our research projects focus on the following objectives:

• Exploring the experiences, needs and expectations of international healthcare professionals in The Hague to identify barriers and potential solutions.
• Improving labour market policies to better align labour supply and demand.
• Developing tailored education and training that have a meaningful impact on healthcare practices in The Hague as a city of knowledge and education.

Target Group

International healthcare professionals living in the Haaglanden region, including residence permit holders, displaced persons, migrants, labour migrants, expatriates and their spouses with backgrounds in social work, education or healthcare.

Research Methodology: Exploratory and Participatory Research

The exploratory research is conducted through interviews and informal conversations during fieldwork.

Based on the collected data, theatrical monologues were developed and filmed with local amateur actors. These films serve as material for reflection.

Participatory action research is used to monitor the implementation of proposed solutions aimed at improving labour market policies, developing tailored education and creating a more inclusive healthcare sector.

Results Through Co-Creation

The research is conducted in co-creation with our partners in Zorgpilot Haaglanden, involving international and local healthcare professionals as well as students from The Hague University of Applied Sciences.

Together, we identify challenges and develop potential solutions. We also collaborate in sharing the results, ensuring that our research findings reach policymakers, international and local healthcare professionals, and healthcare organisations in The Hague.

Students completed their projects in February, and the findings of the exploratory research were shared with the municipality at the end of April. Our research findings are also presented to the municipality and healthcare stakeholders during dedicated meetings.

Good Practices

• The Hague Dental Care Bus: A Mobile Learning and Working Environment 

Results for Education and Training

As part of The Hague's ambition to be a city of knowledge and education, the following educational outcomes and pathways have been developed:

• Flexible Pathway – Level 5 : A flexible pathway for international nurses outlining relevant regulations, procedures and possible educational routes.
• Access to Individual Modules : Making individual modules within the flexible part-time and dual Bachelor's programme in Nursing (HBO-V Flex) available to participants.
• Guidance Module : A guidance module for healthcare institutions supporting the retraining and upskilling of local staff and international healthcare professionals to promote effective collaboration.

Impact

The research promotes inclusion, supports educational innovation and strengthens the quality of healthcare.

Its findings contribute to improved labour market policies and tailored education and training, with a direct impact on healthcare practices throughout the Haaglanden region.

Duration

2024–2026

Funding

This research is funded by The Hague University of Applied Sciences and the Municipality of The Hague.

Collaboration

• Municipality of The Hague
• Respectzorg
• ROC Mondriaan

Research Team

The research team consists of Anita Ham, Zsuzsu Tavy, Rintje Wijngaard and Umesh Khasa.

The project also involves several students from the Faculty of Health, Nutrition and Sport, the minor Creating a Healthy Future, and the following degree programmes:

• International Public Policy and Leadership 
• Public Administration and Government Management 

Contact

Anita Ham
[email protected]

Podcast

Listen to the podcast episode dedicated to Beyond the Barriers: Finding a Place in The Hague’s Healthcare Sector .