Amsterdam (Rough Guide) - Martin Dunford [15]
The main hospitals (ziekenhuis) are: Academic Medical Centre (AMC; Meibergdreef 9, 020/566 9111), VU Medical Centre (De Boelelaan 1117, 020/444 4444), Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis (Oosterpark 9, 020/599 9111) and Sint Lucas Ziekenhuis (Jan Tooropstraat 164, 020/510 8911).
Minor ailments can be remedied at a drugstore (drogist). These sell non-prescription drugs as well as toiletries, tampons, condoms and the like. A pharmacy or apotheek (usually open Mon–Fri 9.30am–6pm, but often closed Mon mornings) also handles prescriptions; centrally located pharmacies include Dam Apotheek (Damstraat 2, 020/624 4331), Lairesse Apotheek (De Lairessestraat 40, 020/662 1022) and Apotheek Koek, Schaeffer & Van Tijen (Vijzelgracht 19, 020/623 5949).
Dental treatment is not within the scope of the EU health agreement; enquire at the local tourist office or your hotel reception for an English-speaking dentist.
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Insurance
Even though EU health care privileges apply in the Netherlands, you’d do well to take out an insurance policy before travelling to cover against theft, loss, illness or injury. A typical policy usually provides cover for the loss of baggage, tickets and – up to a certain limit – cash or cheques, as well as cancellation or curtailment of your journey. Many policies can be chopped and changed to exclude coverage you don’t need: sickness and accident benefits can often be excluded or included at will. If you need to make a claim, you should keep all receipts, and in the event you have anything stolen, you must obtain an official statement from the police.
Visitors planning longer stays (at least three months) are required by Dutch law to take out private health insurance. Taking out private insurance means the cost of items not within the scope of the EU scheme, such as dental treatment and repatriation on medical grounds, will be covered.
Non-EU residents, apart from Australians, will need to insure themselves against all eventualities, including medical costs. In the case of major expense, the more worthwhile policies promise to sort matters out before you pay rather than after, but if you do have to pay upfront, make very sure that you always keep full doctors’ reports, signed prescription details and all receipts.
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Internet
Amsterdam has a healthy supply of internet cafés and most hotels provide internet access for their guests for free or for a small charge; many have also installed wi-fi networks. A central option is Internetcafe at Martelaarsgracht 11 (daily 9am–1am, Fri & Sat until 3am; 020/627 1052, www.internetcafe.nl), just 200m from Centraal Station, serving alcoholic drinks as well as the usual juice and coffee. Rates are reasonable – €1 per half hour, including a drink. There’s also free internet access at the main library (see "ARCAM, NEMO and the Bibliotheek") near Centraal Station.
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Laundry
Larger hotels generally provide a laundry service, though this tends to be expensive. The city’s best self-service laundry is Clean Brothers, Westerstraat 26 (Jordaan and Western docklands; daily 8am–8pm), charging €7 for a wash and dry. They also do service washes, dry-cleaning, ironing and so on. Other laundries are to be found at Kerkstraat 367 (Grachtengordel South) and Warmoesstraat 30 (Old Centre).
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Left luggage
There’s a staffed left-luggage desk in the basement of Schiphol Airport, between Arrivals halls 1 and 2 (daily 7am–10.45pm), as well as left-luggage lockers. Small items cost roughly €3 per day, medium €4, large €5 and very bulky items €7.50; the maximum storage time is seven days. At Centraal Station, you’ll find coin-operated left-luggage lockers (daily 7am–1pm), as well as a staffed