Dutch GPs have raised concerns over their future independence after it was revealed that a health insurer backed by a private investment company now owns dozens of primary care centres in the Netherlands.

A survey by the national newspaper De Volkskrant identified 38 centres owned by commercial investors spread across the country, covering 155 000 patients. The largest investor, Zorgpunt, operating 28 centres, is a subsidiary of the health insurance company Menzis, which owns half the shares of Zorgpunt. The remainder are owned by an investment group, Reggeborgh.

Zorgpunt was launched last year by Menzis to fulfil its mission …