Stichting Ziekenhuis Nij Smellinghe (hereinafter: Nij Smellinghe) has been granted a licence under the Nuclear Energy Act. Interested parties have the right to appeal against this licence until 4 November 2026.
Image: © ANVS
Purpose of the licence
Nij Smellinghe is a regional hospital that provides medical care to patients. Among other things, Nij Smellinghe uses equipment that emits ionising radiation and unsealed radioactive substances for various medical applications. Examples include cancer therapy (using radioactive substances) and X-rays (using equipment that emits ionising radiation).
Nij Smellinghe has applied for an amendment to its licence for the use of unsealed radioactive substances to provide medical therapy for the treatment of cancer patients. As a result, the hospital wishes to increase the quantity of radioactive substances present for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, and has applied for permission to discharge radioactive substances into the air. An increase in the number of equipment items emitting ionising radiation has also been requested. This expansion will take place at the Drachten site, located at Compagnonsplein 1 in Drachten.
Nij Smellinghe has also applied for an extension of its licence to cover a new location where it wishes to perform activities involving equipment for medical diagnostic purposes. The new “De Donger” location is situated at Birdaarderstraatweg 72E in Dokkum.
Nij Smellinghe has demonstrated that the expected radiation doses within and outside the locations, for both employees and members of the public, as well as the impact on the environment, remain within the statutory limits. The activities will be carried out safely in accordance with established protocols and procedures.
Appeals possible until 4 November 2026
If you wish to object to the licence, you can appeal (Dutch) to the Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Council of State until 4 November 2026.
There are three situations in which you may submit an appeal. To submit an appeal, you must be an interested party directly affected by the licence. Additionally, you can submit an appeal if you previously submitted a statement of view for the draft licence. If you did not submit a statement of view previously, but cannot be reasonably held accountable for failing to do so, you may also submit an appeal.
More information about the licence
More information may be found in the licence on the government’s platform for executive agency publications at puc.overheid.nl/anvs (Dutch).
Responses to the draft licence
Anyone who wanted to could submit a response to the draft licence between 15 July 2026 and 26 August 2026. No responses to the draft licence were received.
More information on this topic
Go to anvs.nl for more information about the draft licence and the associated documents or read the official announcement (Dutch) in the Government Gazette.
Questions
If you have any questions, please call the Information Desk for Nuclear Energy Act licences. They are available from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on +31 88 489 05 00. You can also ask your question by email. In that case, send a message to postbus.aanvragenenmelden@anvs.nl with ‘Question concerning Ziekenhuis Nij Smellinghe licence’ in the subject line of your email.
Role of the ANVS
The Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ANVS) ensures compliance with the highest standards of nuclear safety and radiation protection in the Netherlands. To fulfil this duty, the ANVS defines rules, issues licences, carries out inspections and takes enforcement action if necessary.