Patients should be able to get proper information about the quality of the hospitals and doctors they use, including details of criminal convictions and serious complaints, a majority of Dutch MPs say.

They want health minister Edith Schippers to set up a register as part of efforts to boost health service quality. The register should not only make it clear how good doctors and hospitals are in terms of their results, but if there have been legal issues.

‘Patients have a right to this information,’ Labour MP Leah Bouwmeester told news agency ANP. ‘This information source will allow them to compare quality before they decide which doctor or hospital is best and for which treatments.’

The measure is supported by both the ruling Labour party and the right-wing VVD Liberals, meaning it has majority support in parliament.

‘You are providing a service by letting people see there are differences between healthcare providers,’ VVD parliamentarian Michiel van Veen said. ‘This emphasises freedom of choice.’

MPs will debate the development of the register with Schippers on Wednesday.