Ambulance 912HAP 9252

Rights and help

File a formal healthcare complaint

Read where to formally complain about care on Curaçao and how this differs from an anonymous report to Bo Dòkter.

First option

Submit your complaint to the healthcare provider

Ask the GP, practice, clinic, hospital or other care organisation about its complaints procedure or complaints committee. Healthcare providers on Curaçao must have a procedure for independent handling of complaints and inform patients about it.

View article 14 of the Landsverordening Zorginstellingen

Report directly

Contact the Public Health Inspectorate

You can also contact the Public Health Inspectorate directly, for example about care quality or safety, a healthcare professional's conduct, or when you cannot or do not want to complain to the provider first. The Inspectorate supervises healthcare and also has a statutory duty to handle complaints.

The Inspectorate decides how a report is assessed and followed up. A report therefore does not guarantee an individual investigation, compensation or a particular outcome.

Official Inspectorate contact details Statutory duties of the Inspectorate

Prepare well

What do you include in a formal complaint?

  1. 1
    Describe what happened

    Give the date, location, department or healthcare professional involved, and describe your experience as factually as possible.

  2. 2
    Explain why you are dissatisfied

    Explain which agreement, explanation, treatment, communication or safety issue you believe went wrong.

  3. 3
    Write what you expect

    For example, an explanation, conversation, correction, apology or measure to prevent recurrence.

  4. 4
    Keep a copy

    Keep your complaint, attachments, proof of sending, acknowledgement and all replies in a safe place.

Bo Dòkter

An anonymous report is different

Bo Dòkter's anonymous form helps make general experiences and trends visible. Reports are not forwarded automatically. Bo Dòkter does not handle reports on behalf of the healthcare provider or Inspectorate and cannot provide a personal reply or official decision.

Go to the anonymous experience form

This page provides general information, not legal advice. Always check current contact details and requirements with the relevant healthcare provider or official body.