In the Netherlands, the BIG register is the official register for qualified healthcare professionals. A BIG registration ensures that a medical practitioner has met the required educational standards and is legally authorised to practise. This article explains what the BIG register means, how to verify a practitioner's registration, and why checking your surgeon's BIG status is an important step in choosing a safe and qualified provider for any cosmetic procedure.
The plastic surgeons at Blooming Plastic Surgery clinic are BIG registered, which we also state on our website. You may be wondering what a BIG registration is and why it is mentioned. In the Netherlands, since 2 April 2020 it has been mandatory for plastic surgeons and certain other healthcare providers to state their BIG number. BIG stands for 'Beroepen in de Individuele Gezondheidszorg' (Professions in Individual Healthcare) and is a statutory regulation for professions in medicine. Stating the BIG number is mandatory on the website, when signing emails and when patients request it.
BIG registration
Because our plastic surgeons are BIG registered, you can be confident that they meet strict quality standards and can be found in a legally required, online and public register. The BIG Act thus protects patients against incompetent and unqualified doctors.
What can you find in the BIG register?
The BIG register lists the healthcare provider's profession and their specialism. You can also see this in the BIG registration of plastic surgeon Joost Staudt, who works with us, shown in the image below:
Check BIG number
Want to verify yourself whether the plastic surgeon performing your treatment is BIG registered? Enter their BIG number in the BIG register. Sometimes a healthcare provider can be difficult to find by name, so always use the BIG number stated on the website.
Check BIG number
Want to verify yourself whether the plastic surgeon performing your treatment is BIG registered? Enter their BIG number in the BIG register. Sometimes a healthcare provider can be difficult to find by name, so always use the BIG number stated on the website.
BIG registered
A BIG number not only provides information about a doctor's authorisation to perform an operation or procedure. It also tells you whether their knowledge is still up to date. Education and experience are important factors for renewing a BIG registration. This ensures patients receive the best care and are not treated by doctors whose knowledge and experience are outdated. A BIG registration is valid for 5 years and can only be renewed if the doctor:- Has worked sufficient hours in the field
- Has completed continuing education and training through a professional association