The Sejm adopted a government bill on the National Cardiological Network

The Sejm adopted a government bill on the National Cardiological Network. The purpose of introducing this solution is to improve the care of patients with cardiovascular diseases through quick, effective and coordinated treatment in specialized centers.

All hospitals and clinics entering the National Cardiological Network (KSK) are to operate according to unified rules and standards. Coordination and monitoring of the course of treatment of each patient are also to be ensured.

Three levels of security

Centers specializing in diagnostics and treatment of heart disease will be able to join the network. KSK will be divided into three levels:

• Ok I – basic diagnostics and treatment.
• OK II – more advanced treatment (coordination and continuity of care, comprehensive tests, treatment – e.g. intervention cardiology, acute coronary syndromes) and rehabilitation.
• Ok III – includes the most complex treatments, including cardiac surgery.

Cardiological coordinator will be employed in each of the centers. It is to be a person who will help the patient go through all the stages of treatment. The KSK Act is a consequence of a pilot, which was conducted in 2021-2024 in 7 provinces.

One of the most important laws in this term

– Do not even discuss how important this law is. Cardiovascular diseases are at the forefront of those that threaten Poles. Any action that sets out the principles of functioning and monitoring of patients' care is extremely important – said MP Elżbieta Gelert from the Civic Coalition, deputy chairman of the Sejm Health Committee during the parliamentary debate over the Act.

– There are probably no more important laws than those that protect our health and life. When it comes to cardiovascular diseases that we see every day, next to us, this law is one of the key and most important laws this year, if not in the entire term. Equal access to care is needed, regardless of the place of residence. If we look at the map of Poland, we can see very carefully that in a big city it is always easier to find help – indicated MP Grzegorz Napieralski from KO.

Accepted without corrections

In the course of work in the Health Committee, 8 amendments appeared on the part of the Law and Justice Club. They concerned two issues. The first was the method of financing KSK and benefits within it. The Act assumes that the source of financing will be the National Health Fund. PIS He proposed budget financing. The second part of the amendments was associated with faster introduction of this act and dividing this process into two parts. In the first stage, centers participating in the pilot would start, and the others a little later.

– In our opinion, corrections are necessary for this project to actually serve patients and provide effective and, above all, stable functioning of the cardiological care system in Poland – said PiS MP Katarzyna Sójka.

The amendments were not adopted by the Sejm Health Committee. On voting in the Sejm they were considered as minority, but they were also not accepted. Ultimately, the Act: regarding pilot centers (earlier) and those outside the pilot a little later, but also earlier than it is assumed. The act was adopted with 419 votes for, one against and 15 abstaining.

WITH data of the Central Statistical Office it follows that cardiovascular diseases are the main causes of death in Poland. They are responsible for 36 percent. of them.