Red Tape Hot Box on hospital visiting rights
The situation in our hospitals is far from good, and lack of money is one of the major reasons why many health reforms have had to be abandoned. However, many reforms aren't implemented not because there is no money in the budget but because there is a lack of will among hospital management as well as the medical committees responsible for hospital regulations. The specific issue I'm concerned about is that for many years the obstacles to attending a hospitalized child by his parents haven't really improved. On the contrary, in many places where children are hospitalized, parents are complaining that the situation has even gotten worse.
The reason is that for the right to look after your own child when it is sick and stuck in the hospital, nowadays, you've got to pay. Many hospitals charge parents extra money just for being there for their scared kid, who often really needs parental support. And conditions aren't great either, despite the cost to the parent. On most occasions a parent who would like to spend the night by his child's bed gets only a chair to sit in, for which he has to pay zł. 15 per night. If there is a bed available - something that is considered a luxury - the cost goes up to zł. 40. Also, some hospitals charge even for the use of water, electricity and toilet facilities up to zł. 15 per day.
These charges are a big burden to those whose incomes aren't high but who have children in the hospital. Moreover, there is no law, no directive that allows hospitals to charge such fees. Thus, from one point of view this is extortion, not to mention that for many people such action is also immoral. Hospital management argues that by imposing such fees they try to reduce the number of visitors that pose a strain on the medical staff. They also add that there are no spaces available to keep the sick child plus his parents. That is true to some extent, but not everywhere. However, due to a loophole in health regulations concerning this issue, many hospitals that don't have such problems still take advantage of it. So far no steps have been taken to cut this on-going process short. The regulations remain vague and, if people won't persistently ask to do something about it, nothing will be done to improve this matter. As usual.
Red tape bugging you? Tell Mateusz about it at matdem@poczta.onet.pl.
