Long-term care: Health Ministry loosens medical staffing requirements

An ad hoc inspection of the National Health Fund, titled "Implementation of the contract for the provision of health care services - nursing and care services within the framework of long-term care in the scope of services in nursing and care and therapeutic care institutions," resulted in the need to modify the wording of Appendix No. 4 to the Regulation of the Minister of Health of November 22, 2013. on guaranteed services in the field of nursing and custodial care services in the framework of long-term care (Journal of Laws of 2024, item 253), in the part concerning the definition of conditions for full-time security of physicians in nursing and custodial care and treatment facilities. According to the National Health Service, the current regulations do not clearly define which physicians should be included in the FTE for 35 beds and whether on-call counseling and consultations of a psychiatrist and neurologist should be provided within the aforementioned FTE. The proposed changes, are intended to eliminate the misinterpretation. In view of the irregularities found during the inspection, involving the examination of patients by doctors with specializations other than those listed in the catalog of specialist doctors in the current regulation, it was recommended that examination be provided by doctors of any specialty who could provide services in nursing and care and treatment facilities, with the obligation to provide specialist consultations.

The draft regulation amends the requirements for medical personnel providing guaranteed services in adult care facilities, removing the need to employ physicians with a specific specialty and increasing the FTE per bed ratio from 35 to 40 beds.

The proposed amendment will eliminate interpretive uncertainties related to determining which doctors should be counted as part of the FTE for 35 beds, as well as the advice and consultations provided as part of the aforementioned FTE.

By liberalizing the requirements for medical personnel providing care in adult care facilities and the type of specialization required to calculate the FTE, it will increase the availability of medical staff and bring regulations closer to the realities of practice.

The amendment to the regulation's provisions will result in a more optimal use of available staff resources, and will facilitate the organization of care within the above-mentioned scope of benefits, without negatively affecting the quality of healthcare services provided.

Source: RCL