Poland delays healthcare reform on medical salaries and working hours

The Polish government has announced a delay in implementing key healthcare reforms intended to address irregularities in the medical sector. Health Minister Jolanta Sobierańska-Grenda stated that the proposed legislation, which includes limits on medical professionals' working hours and salary caps, will undergo a 12-month transition period (vacatio legis) to allow hospitals and local governments more time to prepare.

The reform aims to regulate compensation by introducing a maximum hourly rate of 240 PLN gross and a monthly cap of 76,800 PLN gross for medical staff. The decision to postpone the implementation follows social consultations and discussions with hospital directors and local authorities to ensure the projects gain necessary stakeholder support.