Poland Introduces Electronic Hospital Waiting Lists and Doctor Accountability Reforms

On July 8, 2026, Poland's health ministry announced a comprehensive reform package designed to rebuild public trust in the healthcare system after weeks of scandal. The planned changes include caps on doctors' salaries, a requirement for them to work at least half their statutory working time at a designated hospital, and a new electronic waiting list system.

The reforms were triggered by revelations of improper financial arrangements and patient discrimination. News outlets revealed alleged cases of huge salaries for some doctors and impropriety at the Southern Hospital, including preferential treatment for patients with political connections, with claims that there was a "VIP lounge" in which patients were given more comfortable facilities and allowed to skip the queue.

Transparency and Patient Rights

The reforms would require NFZ-funded hospitals to disclose payments and contract terms for external medical providers selected through competitive tenders, while ending less-transparent contracting arrangements. The government also plans to accelerate the rollout of a central patient registration system by the end of 2027 and introduce a new electronic waiting list for planned hospital procedures by the end of 2026.

For foreigners accessing public healthcare through NFZ, these reforms introduce much-needed transparency. The electronic waiting list system will make it clearer when and where your scheduled procedures will occur, reducing the uncertainty and long queues that have historically plagued the Polish healthcare system. Non-emergency surgeries and specialist visits will eventually shift to a centralized digital system, meaning fairer access regardless of political connections. If you're planning elective surgery or specialist referral, expect improvements in appointment visibility and scheduling fairness as the electronic system comes online.

Sources

• Notes from Poland — Hospital reforms article, July 9, 2026