Stichting Care Net Holland (CNH) was formally established on . Volunteers already had a long history in ICT and healthcare before that date.
In August 1990 Kees Visser, then a student nurse, bought his first 286 AT desktop computer with a 1200 bps modem. As a hobby he built a thesis database for nurses and offered it over the telephone as SCRIPT BBS, later around the clock, with email and a library of free software for care professionals.
The web did not exist yet and email was rare. Articles in Verpleegkunde Nieuws (October 1991) and Tijdschrift voor Ziekenverpleging drew attention. In 1992 Kees partnered with a software developer. That year the union Nieuwe Unie '91 continued the service as Elektronisch Informatie Centrum Nieuwe Unie '91 (EICNu '91).
In early 1994 the work moved into Stichting Care Net Holland. CNH promoted digital information exchange in Dutch healthcare, turned the BBS into a website, and provided internet services to umbrella and professional organisations.
The ZorgPortaal.nl years
With precursors of V&VN, LEVV, AVVV, Sting and NU '91, CNH launched the national ZorgPortaal.nl in 2000. H. Gelderblom-Lankhout opened it at the Medica fair. Minister E. Borst later opened ZorgForum.nl. Partners including Elsevier, PGGM, IZZ, Tempo-Team, Bohn Stafleu van Loghum and Basismedia helped reach more than a million care professionals.
ComboData B.V. was set up to handle growth. Domain names stayed with the foundation and CNH supervised ZorgPortaal.nl. ComboData employed staff, ran the portal and supported e-marketing. Kees and drs. Robert van Oosten formed its management.
A new focus
More than ten years later, partners had their own internet teams and advertising budgets moved to services such as Google and Facebook. A reorganisation followed. ZorgPortaal.nl kept its reach and gained recruitment and community software.
In 2011 Kees developed persistent health problems. In 2014 he had to stop this work. Shareholders wound up ComboData B.V. Some domain names and websites were transferred.
CNH then continued only ZorgKrant.nl, on a non-profit basis with volunteers. Kees remained unpaid chair. Volunteers also explore domotics in practice, so people can live safely at home for longer.