Apeldoorn introduces Well-being on Prescription to ease healthcare pressure and boost mental health
Residents of Apeldoorn with mild mental or social issues can now be referred to well-being coaches instead of medical treatment. This initiative aims to reduce pressure on GPs and improve quality of life through tailored activities and support.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Well-being on Prescription |
| Launch Date | February 2026 (expanded 4 March 2026) |
| Location | Apeldoorn, Gelderland |
| Number of Well-being Coaches | 10 |
| GP Practices Involved | ~60 in Apeldoorn |
| Paramedical Practices (Pilot) | 8 (expanding to all in 2027) |
| Residents Referred (Initial) | 25 |
| Funding Sources | Integral Care Agreement, Zilveren Kruis |
| Collaboration Partners | HOOG, PAZeo, Stimenz, Municipality of Apeldoorn, Zilveren Kruis |
The Municipality of Apeldoorn plays a key role in coordinating local healthcare initiatives, ensuring residents have access to non-medical support for mental and social well-being. This program aligns with broader national efforts to integrate healthcare and social services under the IZA transformation plan.
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Apeldoorn invests in Well-being on Prescription
The Municipality of Apeldoorn has launched Well-being on Prescription. This is a method for GPs and other healthcare providers to assist residents with mild mental or social issues. Organisations celebrated the launch this week during a meeting for paramedical professionals.
Since February, all GP practices in Apeldoorn have been able to refer residents to 10 well-being coaches. From now on, 8 paramedical practices can also refer residents as they take part in a pilot. With this expansion, Well-being on Prescription enters a new phase. From 2027, all paramedical practices will be able to make referrals.
What is Well-being on Prescription?
Well-being on Prescription is a way for GPs and other healthcare providers to help residents with mild mental or social issues. Instead of medical treatment, they receive advice on activities that can help them feel better. The well-being coaches from Stimenz hold conversations with residents and jointly look for suitable activities or support outside medical care.
The first GP practices have already started referring patients. With the expansion as of 4 March, physiotherapists and other paramedics are now also joining. This strengthens the collaboration between healthcare and well-being. “With Well-being on Prescription, we bring healthcare and well-being closer together,” says Alderwoman Anja Prins. “Many residents do not need medical treatment, but someone to think along with them to regain control and energy. That is exactly what the well-being coaches do. I am very pleased with this development, which contributes to the well-being of our residents.”
Alderwoman Anja Prins: “Many residents do not need medical treatment, but someone to think along with them to regain control and energy. That is exactly what the well-being coaches do. I am very pleased with this development, which contributes to the well-being of our residents.”
First residents already referred
Well-being on Prescription is part of the IZA transformation plan, in which healthcare and well-being partners work together on future-proof care. Thanks to additional funding from the Integral Care Agreement and the collaboration with Zilveren Kruis, Apeldoorn can implement and offer Well-being on Prescription across the entire municipality. In the first weeks, GPs have already referred 25 residents. The first residents have now made contact with a well-being coach.
“As GPs, we are delighted that Well-being on Prescription is being launched on such a large scale. All GP practices, around 60 in the municipality of Apeldoorn, are participating. We have been looking forward to this start for a long time. Well-being on Prescription provides appropriate support for residents, reduces the pressure on GP care and thus gives doctors more time for other patients,” says Bart Smit, Chairman of the Board of the General Practitioners Organisation East-Gelderland (HOOG).
Collaboration partners:
- General practitioners (via HOOG)
- Paramedical practices (PAZeo)
- Stimenz (well-being coaches and project management)
- Municipality of Apeldoorn
- Zilveren Kruis
For more information, visit: www.apeldoorn.nl/welzijnoprecept
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