Dutch healthcare faces critical staffing shortages amid rising costs

BARCELONA, SPAIN — Rising staffing costs and shortages of nurses and specialists are straining the Dutch healthcare sector, driving up operating expenditures and extending waiting lists, according to Fitch Ratings in its recent Peer Credit Analysis. 

Rising staffing costs and shortages in Dutch healthcare

Fitch Ratings highlighted that staffing expenses are a major driver of operating expenditures, while the lack of personnel continues to strain the sector’s ability to meet growing demand. 

The vacancy rate in healthcare remains high, with 44 vacancies per 1,000 jobs in the previous year, slightly below the national average of 46 but still indicative of a tight labor market.

Economic uncertainty is compounding challenges for healthcare entities, which face higher debt and capital expenditure costs. Postponed building renovations from the COVID-19 pandemic now require urgent attention, but at increased costs.

Despite these pressures, Fitch Ratings elevated Parnassia Groep’s rating to ‘AA’ from ‘AA-‘ when they reviewed it in November 2024 due to better-than-expected leverage results. The fifth public rating for a top clinical healthcare entity was assigned by Fitch to Stichting Maxima Medisch Centrum in February 2025.

Outsourcing fix for Dutch healthcare staffing 

Outsourcing presents an opportunity for Dutch healthcare providers to mitigate rising staffing costs and shortages. 

Healthcare organizations benefit from outsourcing administrative work alongside non-core activities to outside partners since this enables them to focus on patient care and minimize operational stress. Such an approach would reduce permanent staff load while making the sector more efficient.

For instance, automating routine processes along with outsourcing administrative work could reduce workload because it frees staff to perform their essential duties.

While outsourcing alone may not resolve all challenges, it creates an accessible solution to achieve cost reductions and operational enhancements because healthcare service requirements continue to grow due to population expansion and aging population statistics.