Poland's health minister unveils doctor salary caps and sweeping hospital reforms

Poland’s Ministry of Health, led by Minister Jolanta Sobierańska‑Grenda, announced a package of reforms aimed at curbing spiralling costs in public hospitals and improving patient access. The core measures include a maximum hourly wage of 240 zł gross for medical staff funded by the National Health Fund, a requirement that doctors work at least half‑time in a single hospital, and stricter control of employment contracts to eliminate “salary‑chimney” practices. The reforms also call for the accelerated rollout of a central electronic patient registration system (e‑queue) by 2027, greater transparency of hospital spending, and tighter oversight of scheduling to prevent doctors from being listed at multiple facilities simultaneously. Industry bodies and medical associations have expressed mixed reactions, noting that while the proposals target excessive remuneration and opaque hiring, they lack detailed legislative drafts and may not resolve underlying funding shortfalls in the health system. The government emphasizes that the changes are necessary to restore public trust and ensure equitable care, though implementation will depend on parliamentary approval and the President’s sign‑off.