The amending of the health care budget will be made soon after the amending state budget is passed in the National Assembly. The largest sum will be allotted to the Medical Clinical Centre Ljubljana. When asked at the traditional meeting of the Medicina professional review on Thursday what was, in her opinion, missing in the Slovenian health care, the Minister said pointed to the lack of a strategic umbrella document which would define the right course the Slovenian health care system should take.
The first drafts for the years 2016 -2025 have already been prepared by the Ministry, and the public debate on the document is scheduled for April or May. Prior to the public debate, the document must be adjusted with other participants in health care, which will be followed by an action programme to specify all the activities.
In her opinion also hospitals should be managed in a professional manner, and for that purpose conditions have been set defining who can become a member of a hospital board, and within a year the knowledge of the already appointed members of the boards will be tested. They are also preparing an analysis as a basis for evaluation of health care effectiveness, to be carried out yearly. In summer she would like to start working on introduction of a variable part of salaries, as she does not wish 'uravnilovka' (equal payment regardless of the quality or quantity of work) in health care.
Lack of personnel won't be addressed yet
The Minister believes that the complementary health insurance cannot remain in the same form, speaking of long-term solutions. She thinks that the strike in the Izola hospital probably won't be carried out, as the hospital will be given an advance by the Health Insurance Institute. No additional nurses will be hired presently, as the extraordinary measures according to the Minister cannot be considered a valid reason for permanent increase of the number of workers.
The representatives of the health care workers union request the adoption of adequate personnel standards, and health care standards. They warn that the lack of nurses does not only contribute to longer queues, but is endangering patients' lives.