It entered into force on 22 September 2025. new decree of MZ SR No 236/2025 Z. z. z.which regulates the minimum requirements for staffing and material-technical equipment of selected types of outpatient medical facilities. The Decree reflects the needs of the out-patient sector and makes it possible to better respond to staff and operational challenges. For healthcare providers, the transitional period until 30 June 2027 applies to meet the modified minimum requirements.
A decree replacing the original minimum requirements of 2008 regulates the mandatory minimum requirements for personnel and equipment for
- general offices,
- specialised offices,
- fixed and ancillary standby ambulances,
- dental emergency practice,
- facilities for providing overnight healthcare;
- stations,
- facilities for joint investigation and treatment components;
- home nursing agencies,
- Mobile hospices
- tissue establishments.
The most important changes for offices
Reduced requirements for office space requirements
Following a number of comments, the minimum requirements for the premises of the ambulance were adapted to the benefit of healthcare providers.
- minimum area of 18 m2 (instead of the original 15 m2)
- the minimum area of the waiting room of 7 m2 (instead of the original 8 m2); if used for more offices at the same time, for each additional room the area shall be at least half (e.g. for 2 offices the minimum area of the waiting room shall be 10.5 m2)
- minimum surface area of the waiting room for general office 10 m2 (instead of original 12 m2)
- General office isolation room " this mandatory requirement has been deleted, general offices will no longer have to be obliged to set up an isolation room
- rest room for ambulances Þ this mandatory requirement has been removed, the establishment of a rest room is converted into a voluntary decision of the healthcare provider.
Nurse or practical nurse
- the possibility of fulfilling the mandatory minimum staffing requirement by employing a practical nurse of an assistant also in a specialised office has been extended, so far only general offices have been covered. The new legislation allows the provider to decide whether he prefers a nurse or a practical nurse - an assistant in view of the scope of the services provided in the relevant office.
This change was preceded by a modification and extension of the competences of the practical nurses of the assistant in 2023.
The provider is still obliged to comply with the scope of established competences for individual health professionals in the practice. Each healthcare professional shall be authorised to carry out only those tasks for which he has acquired professional competence. - the nurse's visitory bag is deleted.
Shared sister or practical sister
The requirement to meet mandatory minimum staffing arrangements for providers operating multiple offices becomes more flexible.
- In the case of a healthcare provider who is authorised to operate at least two ambulances and operates at the same place of operation, the condition of minimum staffing in the medical profession shall also be satisfied by the nurse or by the practical nurse of the assistant also if he has at least one nurse or practical nurse of the assistant for up to four ambulances.
This is a voluntary option, not an obligation that promotes the more efficient use of the competences of health professionals, supports new forms of organisation of outpatient care such as group practices or integrated centres.
Shared instrumentation between ambulances
Providers operating a number of offices will be able to share the equipment with an assistant in addition to a shared nurse/ practice nurse. Sharing does not cover material equipment.
- Where the healthcare provider is authorised to operate at least two ambulances and operates at the same place of operation, it shall also satisfy the minimum instrument requirement by providing the instrument equipment which is the same for these ambulances in at least one of them, and in no more than four ambulances.
The purpose of this option is to promote the rational and efficient use of devices, which, although they had to be used by each ambulance until now, were not fully used throughout the office period.
The changes adopted set more flexible conditions for outpatient providers and respond to the suggestions of the professional community, self-governing regions as well as early outpatient doctors.