On June 22, 2023, an amendment to the Law on Emergency Medical Services went into effect. The new regulations prevent graduates who graduated after that date from working as paramedics. Despite assurances from the Health Ministry that these graduates can practice the profession, in practice most potential employers interpret the regulations differently, leading to a situation in which medical entities do not hire this group. The RPO is writing to Minister Izabela Leszczyny on the matter.
Can all paramedics practice their profession?
Published Aug. 12, 2024 07:55
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Ombudsman Marcin Wiącek has appealed to Health Minister Izabela Leszczyny for an urgent amendment to the law. The purpose of this amendment would be to allow all paramedics to practice their profession, regardless of their graduation date. In a letter to the ROP, the Polish Association of Paramedical Rescuers stressed that the current regulations define the terms and conditions of the profession and qualification requirements, which leads to ambiguous interpretations.
According to Article 218(1) of the law, those who meet certain conditions on the effective date of the law become paramedics and acquire the right to practice the profession. However, these conditions apply only to those who began their studies or education before the specified dates, which excludes graduates who completed their education after June 22, 2023.
Although the Ministry of Health has announced an amendment to the regulations as part of a bill to amend the law on the Medical Center for Postgraduate Education, this work may take a long time. Instead, the problem is real and is causing difficulties for young paramedics getting jobs. The Organizing Committee of the Professional Self-Government of Paramedics is working to establish a Chamber of Paramedics, but the process is complicated and uncertain in time. Therefore, the RPO is calling for swift legislative action to solve this problem.
Source: RPO
