Patient-centered Reform in Poland’s Healthcare System
Health Minister Adam Niedzielski underscored that reform efforts in the healthcare system are anchored in the needs and perspectives of patients. He explained that these needs include faster access to highly qualified doctors, care in comfortable settings, and straightforward access to medical records.
During a debate linked to the Programowy Ul. of Law and Justice convention, the minister outlined ongoing steps to reform the complex health care system one measure at a time.
He emphasized that reform requires sustainable funding and a steady rise in resources, noting that without such financial backing reforms resemble simply stirring the same cauldron of issues. The funding must grow systematically, creating favorable conditions for real change to take root.
The minister also highlighted the patient’s vantage point, outlining how reform proposals are evaluated against their impact on patients. He stressed that patient outcomes and experiences guide every consideration of change, not just system-wide changes for their own sake.
Spending increases are aimed at closer alignment with patient needs and expectations. Patients are described as seeking prompt access to skilled medical professionals and a welcoming, comfortable environment for care. A further expectation is for patients to have a say in their treatment, turning patients from passive recipients into partners in care. Easy access to medical documentation is also seen as essential.
These five patient expectations serve as a starting point for how reform can be realized, the minister explained.
In addition, the reform agenda includes a practical commitment to keep promises and translate declarations into action. The Health Care Act, supported by public funds, is cited as an example of delivering on stated requirements. It sets a trajectory for health spending that aims to reach seven percent of GDP by 2027, initially targeting six percent in the near term and accelerating beyond that goal as needed.
The government’s resources, the minister noted, stem from a broad policy framework pursued since 2016, which has unlocked additional funding to support a wide range of health services. The aim is to fund the services that the system provides, rather than let resources go unspent. The focus is not simply to spend more, but to spend smarter and deliver tangible improvements in access and quality.
While the overarching goal is expanded access, the minister acknowledged ongoing work to improve access to specialists. He argued that both the removal of capacity constraints and the deployment of new technologies contribute to noticeable improvements in diagnostic access and overall care.
Digitization, according to the Minister of Digitalization, Janusz Cieszyński, is a key driver of progress. More funding enables broader initiatives, including lifting many limits that previously caused lengthy queues for specialist care. He pointed to salary increases in the care sector and substantial growth in medical education capacity, noting a rise in the number of medical students and the emergence of new training centers in smaller cities as well as major universities.
The minister highlighted a record year for recruiting future health professionals, with tens of thousands of new medical study places added since the term began. Graduates from these programs begin practical training, sit the licensing exams, and consider specialty training. This expansion is not limited to doctors; it also covers nurses and other health personnel, where aging demographics demand proactive workforce growth to maintain service levels.
Statistics show the average age of nurses remains a concern, prompting continued efforts to increase admissions and create incentive programs. There is a clear intent to attract and retain health workers, including by expanding recruitment and simplifying work permits for foreign doctors who join the Polish system as part of broader workforce strategies.
In parallel, the government is focused on raising the quality and relevance of medical education. Enhancements to education standards and competency benchmarks are advancing to ensure the workforce meets modern clinical demands.
Investment in health infrastructure is described as an offensive, with significant funding directed at hospital modernization through competitive grants. The scale of these projects signals a shift from past neglect to a concerted push for safe, modern, and accessible patient care across the country.
Digital health is expanding rapidly, with millions of citizens already using online patient accounts and digital services like electronic prescriptions becoming the norm. Remote consultations and other advanced digital tools are increasingly integrated into routine care, making the patient voice a valued component of the treatment process. A standard is being introduced to capture patient feedback after treatment, reinforcing the emphasis on patient satisfaction and continuous improvement.
Ultimately, the reform framework places patient experience at the forefront, aligning with the governing party’s emphasis on listening to society. The guiding belief is that healthy citizens form the foundation of a strong nation, a sentiment that frames these reform efforts as a national priority rather than a temporary policy shift.
Source coverage: contemporary health policy discussions and related parliamentary briefings provide context for these reforms.