Last week, the Supplementary Care and Welfare Agreement (AZWA) was signed. Great news! This offers an important opportunity to make healthcare future-proof. However, the ambitions of the agreement are only achievable if people are truly helped in using digital care. Colleague Alexander de Jong, Manager Relations & Business Development, shares his perspective on the AZWA:

The AZWA is an important step towards future-proof healthcare. However, the ambitions of the agreement are only achievable if people are genuinely helped in using digital care. After all, technology can only truly make a difference if everyone can participate.

Connection between policy and practice

With the AZWA, the cabinet and healthcare stakeholders have signed an ambitious plan. Less regulatory burden, better use of technology, and more collaboration between healthcare and social welfare. From the perspective of the Digital Healthcare Helpdesk Foundation, I see the strength of these agreements, but I also see the challenge: how do we ensure that people do not get lost in the digitalization of healthcare?

The use of technology must give healthcare professionals room to maneuver. However, it must not come at the expense of the patient. Especially now that digital applications – from online appointments to AI-assisted diagnoses – are increasingly becoming the norm, we must ensure that everyone can use them. After all, a smart solution is only truly smart if people can work with it.

Accessibility begins with support

At Helpdesk Digitale Zorg, we speak daily with people who are stuck. Not because they don't need care, but because they don't know how to log in digitally, use an app, or start a video call. For these people, digital care is inaccessible, and therefore: no care.

The AZWA wants patients to have faster access to the right help. And we wholeheartedly applaud that! But speed and efficiency only arise if people are also self-reliant in the digital domain. And that doesn't happen automatically. It requires guidance, patience, and tailored support.

Together we make it happen

I believe in the power of collaboration. The AZWA now offers the momentum for this. Let us seize this opportunity to invest structurally in the digital skills of patients and clients. Not only with technical solutions, but with people-centered support. So that digitalization is not a barrier, but rather a bridge to better care.

The Digital Care Helpdesk is ready to play a connecting role in this. Together with healthcare institutions, policymakers, professionals, and the social domain, we ensure that everyone can participate. Because only then will we fulfill the promise of the AZWA.

Do you want to know what the AZWA will mean for your organization? Contact us. We would be happy to talk!

Together, we make digital healthcare truly accessible to everyone!

Alexander de Jong
Manager Relations & Business Development

Want to read more about the agreement? View the full Supplementary Care and Welfare Agreement 2025 here..