The National Union of Physicians is taking further steps to introduce standards for minimum employment of specialist physicians in public medical institutions. The aim of these measures is to guarantee a minimum level of specialist medical care security per number of patients, rather than per number of beds, as is currently practiced.
OZZL wants to introduce new minimum employment standards for specialist doctors
Published Sept. 17, 2024 11:07
On Monday, September 16, a meeting was held on the issue of employment norms for contracted physicians in public health care entities. At the moment, only contracting norms are in effect, which presuppose the employment of two full-time specialist physicians (with the exception of anesthesiologists) as a condition for obtaining a contract with the National Health Fund (NHF). This number of doctors is insufficient to ensure continuity of medical care, training of residents, filing of records or securing on-call duties. As a result, many doctors are forced to work 2-3 jobs, which poses serious risks for both patients and medical professionals themselves. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Health Ministry, including Deputy Minister Jerzy Szafranowicz, Michal Dzięgielewski - director of the Treatment Department, Jakub Bydłoń - director of the Social Dialogue Department, and representatives of the Analysis and Strategy Department. The All-Poland Physicians Trade Union was represented by Grażyna Cebula-Kubat - chairwoman of the OZZL National Board, Jarosław Kościołek, Joachim Budny and Sebastian Goncerz.
Effects of the lack of employment standards
The lack of precisely defined minimum staffing standards leads to a number of irregularities in health care, which can threaten the safety of patients and doctors. There are cases of temporary suspension of hospital departments, and if the shortage of staff is not filled within three months, the department may be closed. Patients, in such a situation, are deprived of access to health care services guaranteed by the Constitution.
The only document regulating the minimum number of doctors in wards (with the exception of emergency and intensive care units) is the Health Minister's decree of November 22, 2013. According to OZZL, this legal act does not correspond to today's realities and needs to be updated.
OZZL proposals
The National Board of OZZL is calling for the introduction of new standards for the minimum employment of specialist physicians, which will be adapted to the specifics of individual hospital departments and the number of patients. During the meeting with the Ministry of Health, various possible solutions and strategies were discussed to improve the situation in medical facilities. As part of this, it was decided to conduct simulations and analyses in three types of departments: internal medicine, surgery and psychiatry. The results of these studies will help establish the first indicators for minimum staffing standards. During the meeting, both representatives of OZZL and the Ministry of Health agreed that only joint efforts to establish minimum employment norms and ensure adequate working conditions for doctors can guarantee high quality medical care and secure the continuity of health services.
Source: OZZL
