Fundacion Salud Mental Aruba (Respaldo) aims to provide high-quality and accessible specialized mental health care to the people of Aruba.
Respaldo informs that effective August 1, 2026, a new policy regarding clients who do not show up for their appointments or repeatedly cancel them (no show/cancellation) will be introduced. This policy aims to utilize the available capacity of our professionals more efficiently and thereby improve access to care for everyone who needs it.
The demand for mental health care continues to grow, while the number of available professionals is limited. This places a lot of pressure on the care system and makes it primordial to utilize all available appointments in the most effective way possible.
An important part of effective treatment is that the client must attend their appointments regularly. When a person cancels their appointment or fails to show up, this has consequences in the first place for the client’s recovery, but also for others who need treatment and are waiting for an appointment.
Every missed appointment with a psychiatrist or a psychologist delays treatment and causes the treatment trajectory to take longer than necessary. Therapy is more effective when there is a structure. Missed appointments during treatment can hinder the progress of the treatment. From available figures, it has been noted that per month an average of 30 working days are lost to clients who do not show up for their appointments.
What does the new policy entail?
*If a client fails to show up for their appointment two consecutive times without giving notice (no show), the healthcare provider can close the case and notify their general practitioner (huisarts). If they wish to start treatment anew, they will have to request a new referral letter (verwijsbrief) from the general practitioner and wait in line on the waiting list.
*If a client cancels their appointment two consecutive times, the healthcare provider will contact them to communicate that if they cancel again, the case may be closed and communicated to the general practitioner.
Respaldo wants to emphasize that this policy is not intended to punish clients, but to contribute to a more efficient and accessible care system. With this, we want to achieve:
*Reduce the number of people on the waiting list.
*Lower the waiting time before a client can get an appointment.
*Make more efficient use of the available professional capacity.
*Improve the flow of services.
*Strengthen the continuity of existing treatments.
Respaldo hopes to count on the support and understanding of everyone so that together we can achieve a mentally healthier Aruba.
