Hospital solved its funding problem by claiming for non-existent beds

A hospital in Góra developed an interesting way to deal with its financial problems. They included claiming for a non-existent intensive care ward in their agreement with the National Health Fund (NFZ). The ward consists of six beds which have existed (virtually) since the beginning of the year, but patients in need of intensive care were sent to hospitals in Rawicz, Leszno or Głogów. The case came to light only after the Rawicz hospital protested to the NFZ after receiving too many patients from Góra, which is located in a different voivodship. Marek Hołtra, the director of Góra hospital claims, "I've been the director here only for one month and I cannot take responsibility for my predecessor's actions. There are no patients in the intensive care unit now due to necessary repairs. We have doctors and all the necessary equipment, so we will not decline to help in emergency situations." Experts predict there are probably many more such "virtual" intensive care wards throughout Poland. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 7) D.W.