Poll: Poles clearly on doctor salaries. They earn too much

A recent poll reveals a strong public sentiment in Poland that doctors are overpaid, with 61% of respondents agreeing that physicians earn too much. Among the oldest respondents, this figure rises to 71%.

The survey was prompted by revelations concerning the financial situation at the emergency department of Szpital Południowy in Warsaw. An article highlighted the 2025 earnings of Dawid Kacprzyk, the 28-year-old coordinator of the emergency department, who reportedly made 1.6 million PLN despite lacking a specialization. Allegations also surfaced that politicians from the Civic Coalition were admitted without waiting in line.

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In the interest of doctors, it is very important to quickly bring the situation in hospitals to an acceptable level so that people have confidence in what doctors do. This is essential for treatment. So that people know that a hospital is not a place of financial scams and abuses.

Following these reports, the Warsaw city hall and the National Health Fund launched investigations. The prosecutor's office is examining the alleged irregularities, and the Supreme Medical Council is also conducting proceedings. Dawid Kacprzyk has since resigned from his positions within the Civic Coalition and as a district councilor. He also returned 500,000 PLN to the hospital, a sum the hospital had to repay him due to accounting issues. The Mayor of Warsaw dismissed the hospital's management and supervisory board, appointing Aneta Gomółka-Siembora as the new CEO.

Two criminal investigations have been initiated: one concerning fraud exceeding half a million PLN, and another related to the abuse of power by a public official. The Prosecutor General announced an inquiry into whether the Mayor of Warsaw was aware of the hospital's irregularities. The National Labour Inspectorate will also scrutinize the facility. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has expressed readiness to reform the healthcare system, emphasizing the need for trust in doctors and addressing concerns about financial misconduct in hospitals. He noted that serious discussions about doctors' salaries, multiple jobs, and working hours require the medical community's cooperation, suggesting that some representatives have prioritized protecting privileged positions over systemic change.

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A serious conversation about how much doctors should earn, where they can work, how long the longest shift can be, whether doctors on contract are beyond control, all this requires the readiness of the medical community, including the Supreme Medical Council. This is not a pleasant conversation. It will require decisions that will be met with understanding. Until now, I had the impression that representatives of the medical community were doing everything they could to focus on protecting the privileged position of some doctors, rather than changing the state of things.