Emergency medicine in the Netherlands: a short history provides a solid basis for future challenges.

Department of Emergency Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Netherlands Society of Emergency Physicians, Utrecht, Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical Centre Haaglanden, The Hague and Department of Emergency Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands Correspondence to Menno I. Gaakeer, MD, Emergency physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht 3584CX, The Netherlands Tel: + 31 88 756 6666; fax: + 31 88 755 5407; e-mail: migaakeer@me.com