Polish Hospitals at Bankruptcy: What does this mean for Patients Waiting for Treatment?

Polish wellness services are facing increasingly serious financial problems, and any hospitals are on the verge of bankruptcy. This situation is of large concern to both patients and healthcare professionals. The article presents precisely what the financial crisis in Polish hospitals means, what its effects on patients can be and what actions are being taken to remedy this situation.

1. Why are the hospitals on the brink of bankruptcy?

1. Non-financing of the wellness Service Polish hospitals face chronic underfinancing. The State budget for 2024 does not supply adequate resources to cover the expanding costs of medical infrastructure treatment and maintenance. The increase in the cost of medicines, medical equipment and salaries of medical staff is not reflected in the NFZ funding.
2. Increase in Operating Costs The operating costs of hospitals, specified as energy, medical materials and external services, have increased importantly in fresh years. Increased expenditure on maintenance and modernisation of infrastructure and medical equipment exacerbates the financial problems of the facilities.
3. Debt problems Many hospitals have incurred debts, which are now a major financial burden. The repayment of these liabilities, together with the expanding costs of the current business, leads to the fact that the establishments are incapable to cover the current expenditure.

2. How does the financial crisis affect patients?

1. Prolongation of Waiting Time for Treatment Due to limited financial resources, hospitals must reduce the number of treatments and operations carried out. This leads to an increased waiting time for treatment, which in any cases may consequence in a deterioration in patients’ health.
2. Restriction of access to Care Due to financial difficulties, any institutions may reduce the scope of services provided. This may mean limiting the availability of certain specialised studies and treatments, as well as reducing the number of infirmary sites.
3. Reduction of Care Standards The financial crisis may lead to a simplification in wellness care standards, resulting from restrictions on the employment of staff, the acquisition of essential medical supplies and the maintenance of infrastructure.

3. Actions of the Government and wellness Institutions

1. Financial support programmes The government is introducing programmes to support the financial support of hospitals, specified as grants and loans to aid stabilise the financial situation of institutions. However, the effectiveness of these actions depends on their appropriate implementation and the duration of support.
2. Reform of the wellness Service Work is ongoing on reforming the wellness system, which aims to improve the efficiency of management and backing of hospitals. The improvement aims at expanding transparency and making better usage of available resources.
3. Cooperation with NGOs Cooperation with NGOs and the private sector aims to supply additional backing and support in the form of donations and wellness support foundations.

4. What can patients do?

1. Collection of Information on the tallness of Waiting Time Patients should monitor the waiting time for wellness care and usage available sources of information on the availability of treatment at different facilities.
2. Use of Private Services In a situation where the waiting time for treatment in public hospitals is besides long, it is worth considering the usage of medical services offered by the private sector, although this entails additional costs.
3. Active Monitoring of Reforms Patients should be aware of reforms and changes in the wellness strategy to know how they can affect the availability and quality of wellness benefits.

The financial crisis in Polish hospitals is simply a serious problem that affects the quality and availability of healthcare. Under-financing, expanding operating costs and indebtedness of establishments lead to longer waiting times for treatment and lower standards of care. The actions of the government and wellness institutions aim to support hospitals and improvement the wellness system, but patients should besides be active and monitor the situation to respond appropriately to changing conditions.