With much love for the profession and commitment to his patients, Doctor Heino Folmer has been working as a (general) physician for over 30 years and has been doing so in Albufeira since 2005. He offers personalised care to residents, winter visitors and tourists alike and can be easily reached by phone, email and whatsapp.

    Studies and specialisation

    After 1 year of dentistry, Heino went to study Medicine at the University of Nijmegen (doctor’s degree obtained in 1991 ) After his (then mandatory) military service (1992), he decided to join the Ministry of Defence in order to increase his chances of finding a highly sought-after training position as a surgeon. During his deployment in Srebrenica (Dutchbat 3), he discovered through his experiences and cooperation with Médecins Sans Frontières that his heart was more in primary care medicine after all. He noticed that you build a more personal relationship with people and are better able to resolve complaints because you see the patient in their own social context. From the Ministry of Defence, he got the opportunity to follow a specialisation in general medicine at Leiden University.


    Since 2005, Heino has been working as a (general) physician in Albufeira. Part of his work was documented in the Avro TV programme “De Vakantiedokter”. In it, he was followed by a camera crew for two seasons. This programme was successfully broadcast (primetime) on Dutch national television in 2009 to 2011.

    "In today's hectic world, it is extra important to give a patient the attention, time and care he or she needs and deserves. "
    Heino Folmer

    Vision

    Heino made the choice to work as a GP in Portugal in 2005. One of the reasons (besides the nice country and weather) is that he finds it important to be able to give patients time and personal attention. Not dictated by health insurers, government or commercial institutions, he can take ample time to listen carefully to what is going on. This allows him to come up with solutions that best fit the patient’s wishes, situation and abilities (which is even more important when someone is staying in another country).

    This is why (upon leaving his previous practice) he chose to set up a small-scale, independent and very personal practice. A pleasant place where he can provide GP care as he prefers, with love for the profession and attention and commitment to his patients: Heino Folmer, your trusted GP in the Algarve.