The availability of healthcare services in terms of assumptions and implementation of the act „hospital network”

Abstract

The article analysed the availability of healthcare services in terms of assumptions and implementation of the act “hospital network”. The aim of the research was to try to answer the question about the impact of the creation of a hospital network on the availability of healthcare. The provisions of the act and implementing acts were analysed, as well as the effects of the reform, including: the structure of the hospital network, the number and value of healthcare services, the degree of performance by hospitals of contracts with the NFZ, waiting time for healthcare services and the number of people waiting, the degree of use of hospital beds, expenditure on healthcare, the financial situation of hospitals. The summary concluded that the creation of a hospital network did not increase the availability of healthcare services. It was the result of the failure to take into account epidemiological and demographic conditions and insufficient funding. The situation does not cross out the legitimacy of the creation of a hospital network, but it points the direction of further reforms.