Welcome at the site of the Association of Nephrology Social Workers of the Netherlands (VMWN).

We are a national association dedicated to the care of renal patients and are organized in three regional divisions which are geographically organized:

Division West, division Middle- North- East and the division South which each have a chairperson who presides at the meeting.

Each division normally has at least four meetings per year. Next to news from the executive committee’s we discuss the regional news and present events and topics of interest. Also we have professional practice discussion opportunities and we have a special topic prepared for presentation each meeting.

The association has an annual general meeting at the multidisciplinary organized Dutch Nephrology Days (N.N.D.) held every spring.
The executive committee has 6 members including the president, treasurer and secretary who form the daily representative of the committee. They meet approximately 6 times per year. They have a secretary for practical support.

The association has a bulletin published four times a year with news from the executive committee and the various taskforces and interest groups in function. We have for example a group working on pre-dialysis, transplantation, social participation, quality standards, PD, education and distribution of renal social work.
At present the total of some 60 dialysis departments and /or facilities nationwide is represented by an average of >90% by our 100 members.

Already in 1976 the association was erected and has been a strong valuable asset for the Dutch renal community.

The aim is to improve the quality of renal care for our patients and those closest to them from a broad point of view. Mainly concentrated on the psychosocial care but also in empowering staff and patient organization(s) with our skills and knowledge.

We have established the Dutch Quality Standards for Renal Social Worker’s and are active in the improvement of the quality of our work as part of being dedicated health care professionals.

We work together with the Dutch Kidney Foundation and Renal Patient Association and the multidisciplinary associations of the Dutch Renal Care: LVDT, DGN, DDN)

We also have a representative for the European Dialysis and Transplant Nurses Association/ Renal Care Association.  Also members are involved as a volunteer/ officer in that organization. 

If you have any questions please feel free to send it to the following contact/ webmaster

Name: Werner de Ruijter
Telephone: +31182505492
Fax: +31182505051
Email: Werner.de.Ruyter@ghz.nl