“Hospitals that meet the eligibility criteria will form the National Oncology Network (KSO), announced Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki after the meeting of the Council of Ministers at which the draft act was adopted, providing for a new model for managing oncological care in Poland.
The Council of Ministers adopted the draft act on the National Oncology Network
Published Jan. 4, 2023 08:20
fot. KPRM
– KSO assumes procedures that enable the detection of cancer at the earliest stages of its occurrence, which will allow for quick and effective treatment of this difficult disease. It will also provide patients with access to the best therapy and care, said the Prime Minister.
KSO are to be created by Specialist Oncological Treatment Centers of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd level, together with Competence Centres, Satellite Centers and Cooperation Centres. Early detection of cancer will be possible thanks to the unification of highly specialized procedures and their quality control. This will allow for quick and effective treatment of oncological diseases.
– We are opening a new chapter in the treatment of oncology patients. This is the result of both the work of many experts and piloting. Over the last two years, it has been implemented mainly in the Kielce and Lower Silesian centers. We tested and verified various models and paths of patient management there. Many thoughts and concepts that resulted from their experience were transferred to a completely new system of care for oncological patients - said the Minister of Health, Adam Niedzielski.
In the new system, difficult cases will be treated in centers that are properly prepared for this. The centers are to be closely monitored for treatment effectiveness. Every two years, a summary is to be made, after which the centers that do not achieve the assumed goals will not function within the current level.
– From the patient's perspective, one of the most important solutions is the oncology patient coordinator. Each patient will have an assigned coordinator who will help them through this hard, traumatic period, from cancer diagnosis, through therapy, to possibly oncological rehabilitation. The new patient path is to be based on the best global standards of cancer treatment. Patients will be able to take advantage of the best professional help, regardless of their place of residence. We have worked out a solution, which is a consultation, which, regardless of where it takes place, will be held with the participation of representatives of the highest reference centers - Adam Niedzielski mentioned.
As announced, the government wants to implement the adopted draft law on KSO as soon as possible. The National Oncology Network is to be a key element of the National Oncology Strategy for 2020-2030, with a budget of PLN 5 billion.
