Poland's Health Ministry Proposes 320-Hour Doctor Work Limit, Experts Warn of Longer Queues

Poland's Ministry of Health is pushing for a new regulation that would cap healthcare professionals' monthly work hours at 320. This limit would apply to all hours worked, whether in public hospitals, private clinics, or on-call shifts. The ministry argues this measure will enhance patient safety by ensuring doctors are well-rested, regardless of where they practice.

The National Chamber of Physicians (NIL) supports the ministry's approach, stating that counting all work hours, public and private, is not controversial. "A doctor should be rested regardless of whether they see a patient funded by the National Health Fund or a patient with a medical package," said NIL spokesperson Jakub Kosikowski. He added that excluding doctors who only work privately would create unequal treatment of healthcare facilities and potentially favor those not contracted with the NFZ.

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A doctor should be rested regardless of whether they see a patient funded by the National Health Fund or a patient with a medical package.

However, experts express concern that the new limits will inevitably reduce the total number of hours doctors can work. The NIL estimates this could mean two fewer shifts per month per doctor, a significant change nationwide. This reduction is expected to decrease the availability of doctors in both public and private systems. Consequently, patients may face longer waiting times for appointments, while private healthcare providers might see an increase in wages and service costs.

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This could lead to longer queues in the public system, as well as an increase in wages and the cost of services in the private sector.