First appointment at the Máxima Center

All kinds of questions

You may already know that your child has cancer. At that point, many things are often still unclear, and further diagnostics at the Princess Máxima Center are needed. This can raise many questions.

Write down your questions, for example in a notebook or on your phone. This way, you can discuss them during conversations with the doctor or nurse specialist.

During the first conversations, you will receive a lot of information. You do not have to remember everything. You can always ask your questions again later.

How do you get to the Máxima Center?

The address is: Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht. Open the route in Google Maps or view the Contact and route webpage. You can also print the route description to the Máxima Center (PDF).

If your child needs medical care during the journey, you will come by ambulance. If you come by car or someone brings you, you will find the Máxima Center just past the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital (WKZ):

• Drive past the WKZ and continue straight at the traffic light.

• Drive across the tram and bus lane and turn onto Hoofddijk.

• On Hoofddijk, take the first road on the left. You are now driving along the front of the Máxima Center.

• Drive past the main entrance. You will automatically arrive at the entrance to the parking garage.

Where can you go when you arrive?

From the parking garage, you walk through a long hallway to the central lobby. At the reception desk, someone will tell you where to go. If you arrive in the evening, you can go to the security desk next to the reception desk.

Then you will go to the second or third floor. The doctor’s assistant will help you from there.

What happens during the first appointment?

You will meet with a doctor, nurse specialist and often other healthcare professionals as well. They will listen to your story, discuss the information from the doctor who referred your child and ask some additional questions.

They will then explain the next steps. Your child may already have had examinations at the hospital that referred you. At the Máxima Center, we repeat these examinations if needed. Your child may also need additional examinations. The child life specialist prepares your child for the examinations and explains what will happen.

If medically necessary, your child will stay at the Máxima Center. If it takes a few days before all results are known, your child may sometimes go home in between. You will then receive an appointment for a follow-up visit or admission. The doctor will discuss with you what is best in your child’s situation.

If you need to stay overnight

If your child needs to stay at the Máxima Center, you will get a parent and child room. In addition to your child, two people can sleep there. This means you can always be with your child. Bed linen and towels are provided.

What should you bring?

Bring a valid ID for your child.

It is helpful to bring a few familiar things from home. For example, your child’s favorite stuffed animal. Also bring something to keep your child occupied, such as a book, toys, drawing supplies or a tablet.

If you are staying overnight at the Máxima Center, bring clothes and toiletries for your child and yourself. Also remember to bring a charger and something to read or do for yourself.

View our packing list.