We are an independent group of professionals who can provide independent advice and opinions in the field of social security.
The initiator of Vrije Opdrachten is Pim Berkhout. Registered company doctor, registered legal expert, former insurance doctor.
‘I always experience the profession of company doctor as a wonderful journey between and with people in their working lives.’
The challenge:
The ever-changing social and legal context. How do you support people as clients/clients with a medical and legal briefcase full of constantly changing information? As the founder of ‘De Arbodienst’, I was ultimately responsible within this large occupational health and safety service. All complex social medical and medical-related legal matters involving clients were submitted to me. Every major problem encountered by the occupational physicians, occupational experts and case managers was discussed with me. There was not always a ready-made solution. The right attention, aided by a motivated team, often resulted in an acceptable compromise.
The luxury of this complex issue was a critical and practical learning experience that forms the basis of Vrije Opdrachten. I devote my time to my passion, namely independent expert occupational physician. My expertise lies in the field of incapacity for work and medically related labour disputes. The issues are diverse and numerous.
The consultancy includes legal expert matters, legally regulated second opinions, occupational physician expertise investigations and medical advice for private insurance companies. The Independent Assignments are supported by a team of like-minded independent professionals and an adequate back office.
Career overview:
1990 Company doctor in training – manager of the Royal Netherlands Navy Occupational Health and Safety Service
1996 Registered company doctor (AMC)
1990 Company doctor in training – manager of the Royal Netherlands Navy Occupational Health and Safety Service
2000 Founded “Zena” software company
2002 Founded ‘De Arbodienst’
2003 Medical Specialist Insurance Medicine (GAV / AXA)
2004 Registered Insurance Physician, working for UWV, including appeals and objections
2016 Legal Expert (Leiden University)
2016 Founded ‘Vrije Opdrachten’
2019 Independent Expert on incapacity for work and medically related labour disputes
What makes us proud:
The trust that our team receives from employees and employers to support them in an independent and professional manner with complex social and medical issues.