Dutch Hospitals Strain Under Flu Epidemic, Postponing Surgeries

The Netherlands is currently experiencing a significant surge in influenza cases, leading to overcrowded emergency rooms and a critical shortage of hospital beds nationwide. Several hospitals have been forced to postpone non-urgent surgeries to prioritize the care of acutely ill patients.

Nationwide Impact and Hospital Responses

As of February 18, 2026, the Netherlands has officially met the epidemic threshold, defined as 46 cases per 100,000 people, with 68 cases reported per 100,000 in the most recent week, an increase from 62 cases per 100,000 the previous week [1]. Hospitals across the country are reporting high patient volumes and are being forced to postpone scheduled surgeries to prioritize urgent care.

Frisius MC, a regional medical center serving Friesland province in Leeuwarden and Heerenveen, has been particularly affected, initiating a policy of canceling non-essential operations since last week [1]. Other hospitals impacted include Meander Medisch Centrum in Amersfoort, Albert Schweitzer Ziekenhuis in Dordrecht, and Martini Ziekenhuis in Groningen [2].

The emergency department at Frisius MC has experienced periods of “code orange” and even “code red” – indicating maximum capacity and requiring immediate triage to manage the influx of patients. This means patients with less urgent conditions may face extended wait times [1].

Challenges Beyond Bed Capacity

The pressures extend beyond bed capacity. Hospitals are also grappling with illness among their own staff and difficulties discharging patients to long-term care facilities, which are similarly facing staffing shortages. This creates a bottleneck, limiting the availability of beds and forcing difficult triage decisions [2].

Remko Seinstra, manager of acute care at Frisius MC, described the situation as “really busy” [2].

Hospital Merger Plans Disrupted

Recent developments also include the collapse of a planned merger between Frisius and the Antonius hospital. The merger was called off due to high costs, concerns about patient choice, and uncertainty regarding the quality of care [3], [4]. The potential costs were estimated at 400 million euros [3].

Looking Ahead

The current flu season began a fortnight later than the previous year, with the 2025 epidemic peaking at the start of February with 118 cases per 100,000 people [2]. The situation remains challenging for Dutch healthcare providers as they navigate the ongoing flu epidemic and its impact on hospital operations.