The Ministry of Health published today the first, partial a conditional classification phase for the hospital network. Categorisation is the main a pillar of hospital reform in Slovakia that will bring higher quality health care, guarantee waiting periods for planned care and end The era of "to seek a doctor after familiarity""
The results of the first phase must be considered as the basic skeleton hospital network. Currently, only compulsory medical treatment is conditionally evaluated programmes from second level hospitals. In the subsequent phase, more will be categorised programmes. In other words, if the particular hospital department is not classified under the compulsory medical programme, the first stage of categorization does not concern this department. Also, the first phase does not concern specialised facilities such as the National Institute of Tuberculosis, Pulmonary Disease and Chest Surgery says Vladimir Lengvarsky, Minister of Health. Results of the second classification phase Hospitals shall be published by the Ministry in the first quarter of 2023.
The ongoing reform of hospitals is a response to natural temporary permanent deaths of hospitals or departments throughout Slovakia. In preparation for the reform More than 400 clinical experts worked, followed by many months expert discussions with all entities concerned, including hospitals themselves.
The published list contains a minimum number of mandatory programmes for individual hospitals, maximum number of optional and complementary programmes as well as a list of complementary programmes that individual hospitals have shown interest since 2024 to provide (see Annex).
For the first time, patient-oriented reform has been rigorous and public waiting periods for planned healthcare. It also specifies the time availability of healthcare and quality indicators for individual hospitals.
The so-called "patient path" is the idea behind reform. People with health problems will know exactly which hospital in their vicinity provide adequate care in good time and of adequate quality. Self the level of hospitals is irrelevant in terms of quality. In principle, they only say as much as the amount of healthcare the facility provides. Basically, too. Today we see the difference between a large hospital and a small hospital. But about the quality of care it doesn't say anything in principle, Vladimir Lengvarsky continues.
Scope of planned healthcare except for Six regulated waiting lists are not registered and evaluated today. Categorisation allowed the introduction of waiting periods for 700 medical services which to guarantee patients the provision of planned healthcare in the maximum period in question. For example, in cancer diagnosis is guaranteed administration within 15 days of indication. More transparent the rules on the provision of planned healthcare as for patients as well as hospitals and health insurance companies.
The current completed first stage categorization is another an important step towards a better network of hospitals in Slovakia. Again, though, point out that the reform does not aim to disrupt well-functioning hospitals; or Departments. On the contrary, by reforming hospitals, we stabilise accessibility and quality the health care in Slovakia- Vladimír Lengvarský closes.
When assigning hospitals to individual levels, Taken into account the exact conditions cap: number of potential patients within Hospital catchment area, equipment availability, minimum Number of operations, special staffing and existence of mandatory programmes. The initial conditional categorisation is carried out by the Ministry. From 2024 onwards the classification shall be taken over by the Networking Commission, composed of representatives; all relevant entities.