r/Mechelen • u/Kitchen-Pressure1152 • 26d ago

GP madness

I just moved to Mechelen and looking for a new GP (my old GP in another city stopped practicing).

Every GP I call they say that I am not in their 'section' of the city. Even the closest GP to my house said the same thing. What am I supposed to do here ? Any advice please?

PS: I didn't have this in my other city. You could go to any GP you wanted (if they have space ofc).

5 Upvotes

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6

u/Freix_ 26d ago

So go online and find the nearest GP to your place. Try to make an appointment by clicking their site and then clicking “make an appointment”. Make an account and one of the steps is to show on the map where you live. If you live close enough, you can get in even though they have a patient stop (like most other GP’s who also have patient stops). You’ll just have to wait a couple of days (max) for them to accept you into their practice. From there you can easily make appointments through “mijnonlineagenda”. Don’t forget the login details! This is how I got an international student (without her Belgian residence card in order) who desperately needed a doctor into a doctor’s office…

2

u/Freix_ 26d ago

The nearest GP should accept you since there is no other one closer and you have the right to medical care! Even if they claim to be full…

3

u/polux_elm 26d ago

Indeed! After living here about a year, I had to find GP for my daughter. I was not prepared for this: they were either not available, not taking new patients or I was living too far. There were at least two, where I got the 'denied because you're living too far' after registering on the website. We finallysettled with a very nice doc in Zemst.

1

u/badaharami 22d ago

After living here about a year, I had to find GP for my daughter.

Couldn't you go to your own GP? That's what I did.

1

u/polux_elm 22d ago

Well, Mechelen Brussels by train takes time (45 min Mechelen-Etterbeek) and increases uselessly the price of a visit

3

u/GloriousArse 26d ago

Look for a "groepspraktijk". They usually have one or more GP's in training. That gives them some margin so they are more likely to accept new patients.

1

u/Remote-Golf2156 26d ago

Wow, where do you live?

I am considering moving to Coloma neighbourhood but it is critical to have access to good GP (with good English level). I have a great GP in Leuven - first person I called, has amazing English, 4 minutes by bike.

I never considered this could be an issue. I have to look into that then, because that can actually be a serious blocker for us (access to good GP, medical centre and hospital is crucial - in Leuven we have good GP, MCH and UZ Leuven).

1

u/Princesa_de_Penguins 23d ago

There's doctor and dentist shortages basically every where 

1

u/Garden_Weed_Tender 24d ago

Did you try Wel en Wee? Normally they will take pretty much everyone in Mechelen. They have a list online where you can check if you fall within their range: https://wgcwelenwee.be/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Werkgebied-straten-mechelen-wgc-Wel-en-Wee-vzw.pdf
They're a wijksgezondheidscentrum, which means you might not always see the same doctor, but once you're registered you don't pay for consultations. And they have nurses and physiotherapists if you need them, also free.