Miastko Municipal Hospital ceases operations amid debt and fraud probe

The Municipal Hospital in Miastko has officially ceased providing medical services following the expiration of its contracts with the National Health Fund (NFZ). The closure is driven by a severe shortage of medical staff and mounting debt exceeding 40 million PLN.

Key departments, including surgery, intensive care, internal medicine, and the operating block, have been suspended. Diagnostic services such as X-ray and CT scans are also unavailable. Patients requiring hospitalization are being redirected to facilities in Bytów, Kościerzyna, Chojnice, Słupsk, and Człuchów. While the hospital has stopped most services, two emergency medical teams remain stationed in Miastko.

The financial crisis is compounded by a 13.2 million PLN fine imposed by the NFZ due to irregularities in neurosurgical billing. Investigations by the Central Anticorruption Bureau (CBA) and the prosecutor's office are examining allegations of fraud, where simple procedures were reportedly documented as complex operations to claim higher reimbursements.

Additionally, the hospital's impending bankruptcy is expected to lead to mass layoffs. The Bytów District Labor Office is preparing to assist approximately 300 employees, many of whom may be eligible for retirement.