Poland's NFZ fines Warsaw university clinic for admitting patients out of queue

Poland's National Health Fund (NFZ) audited a clinic within the University Clinical Centre of Warsaw Medical University and found that about 70% of patients were admitted outside the official waiting list. The irregularities were reported in the otolaryngology and head‑and‑neck surgery departments, with some stable patients being taken before urgent cases and ten patients allegedly admitted without any reference to the queue.

The NFZ imposed a financial penalty of 289,000 zł (almost 300,000 zł) on the hospital. The clinic disputes the findings, insisting that all admissions were based on medical criteria and that the auditors relied solely on statistical data. This is the second penalty for the institution; a 2022 inspection resulted in a 50,000 zł fine. The matter follows earlier revelations of a VIP treatment scandal at Warsaw’s South Hospital, which involved preferential care for political figures.