Croatia plans major emergency medicine system reform

The Croatian Ministry of Health is preparing a major reform of the emergency medicine system, intended to be implemented by the end of 2029. The plan aims to improve response times, ensure more equitable access to care in remote areas like islands, and reduce the burden on hospital emergency departments.

A central component of the reorganization is the restructuring of field teams. The plan proposes reducing the number of Type 1 teams (consisting of a doctor, nurse or technician, and a driver) in favor of increasing Type 2 teams. These Type 2 teams will be composed of two nurses or technicians, with at least one having specialized training in emergency medicine. This shift is designed to reserve doctors for the most critical and life-threatening cases.

Additional measures include the establishment of a national emergency dispatch center to create a unified triage system and manage resources more effectively across the country. The reform also seeks to strengthen primary healthcare and outpatient clinics to handle stable patients, preventing unnecessary hospital admissions. Other proposed changes include increased specializations, higher coefficients, telemedicine consultations, and adjustments to the medical network.