The Minister of Health admits that some of the solutions included in the draft act on quality in health care are controversial. It seems that the biggest issue is related to the no fault system, which is not fully approved by the government, and also among patients. What next with the act, which was to enter into force at the beginning of 2022?
The quality act will be implemented in 2023?
Published April 22, 2022 16:39
The draft law on quality is, as the Minister of Health Adam Niedzielski said during the conference on patient safety, which took place in Gdańsk on Friday, at the stage of the Standing Committee of the Council of Ministers. The public consultation ended many months ago, the final draft has already been presented by the ministry - and further comments are being received. Firstly, related to financing (because the act and the introduction of the no fault system also mean the creation of the Medical Events Compensation Fund and the payment of compensation), and secondly - the introduction of the no fault system.
- This is the biggest controversy of this law. It is very difficult to explain to patients, because in such a colloquial translation the no fault principle may be perceived as giving a doctor a certain impunity. However, it is necessary to explain to patients that it is important for their safety. Thanks to the disclosure of errors and drawing conclusions from them, there is transparency in the patient management system - said the minister. At the same time, a little earlier, at the very beginning, Adam Niedzielski confirmed that no fault is also being questioned within the government "without indicating any ministry". It is an open secret that the Minister of Justice Zbigniew Ziobro is definitely against the no fault system.
From what the Minister of Health said during the conference, it appears that he does not intend to give up the no fault system, because without it there is no system for recording adverse medical events, and without such a register - it is difficult to talk about patient safety. Adam Niedzielski declared that he would not be in a hurry "above all" with the act. - I believe that we should put even more energy into the translation, what no fault is - he said, adding at the same time that he hopes for the act to be passed this year and its implementation - in 2023. - I hope that 2023 will be a year of quality and safety, the implementation of these regulations, and taking responsibility for how it will be perceived - he declared. In the opinion of the minister, the act on quality in health care is a systemic act, which will certainly not be passed quickly by the Sejm, and works in the parliament can and should be used to explain and convince - both politicians and the public - why the no fault system is worth support and how it will serve patient safety and quality of treatment.
