Defence can call upon civilian care reservists in times of crisis. The ministry is starting a collaboration with the National Care Reserve (NZR). This network includes civil (former) healthcare professionals. They can be deployed for crises in the Netherlands, but now also for Defence operations. These individuals will be asked if they would like to serve as backup in the event that medical Defence personnel must go abroad.

“The world is shifting beneath our feet,” said Chief of Defence (CDS) General Onno Eichelsheim today during a meeting of the NZR. “And we must look at where the opportunities and chances lie.” One such opportunity is the further collaboration between Defence and the NZR.

Continuous Education

To implement this collaboration, a pilot program has been initiated. In this program, care reservists replace medical Defence personnel. The reservists perform medical assessments, for example. They may also replace medical assistants, nurses, and doctors at Defence health centers.

“Defence is also including military reservists with a healthcare background in the NZR database,” says CDS Eichelsheim. “The collaboration between NZR and Defence is therefore based on reciprocity, aimed at enhancing the resilience of Dutch society.”

5,000 People

Currently, around 4,000 care reservists are registered with the NZR. The goal is to grow to 5,000, who can be deployed in times of crisis. The NZR focuses on anyone with a healthcare diploma who is no longer working in healthcare. NZR director Charlotte de Schepper: “We hope it is never needed, but we can make good use of all these people.”