Provincial Specialist Hospital in Rybnik (2023)

photo: WSS No. 3 in Rybnik

CAP Katowice

In connection with the online edition of Dziennik Zachodni of January 12, 2023, information entitled "Mass in the Rybnik hospital (... or closure)" on behalf of the Provincial Specialist Hospital No. 3 in Rybnik, we would like to refer to the quoted information.

Firstly, the sum of the due civil law liabilities of the Hospital as of today is PLN 43 million (and not PLN 46 million as quoted in the text)

The statements of the chairman of Solidarity in the Hospital, who indicate an increase in the size of these commitments over the last 6-9 months, from 18 million to 46 million, also do not correspond to reality. The data provided is untrue, as the required receivables at the end of 2021 amounted to PLN 32.7 million, and at the end of June 2022 to PLN 43.4 million, and currently they oscillate around PLN 43 million. We do not know where the amount of 18 million comes from?

The information of the hospital management related to the so-called "Tyskie" variant was also distorted. During the meetings, the management communicated to the Trade Unions that the mechanism of termination of operations and transformation of the WSS Hospital No. 1 in Tychy consisted in the loss of control over the management of the Hospital's finances by the hospital's managers, in the face of bailiff seizures made as a result of final judgments of suppliers and employees of this Hospital. The classes completely paralyzed the payment capacity of the hospital in Tychy. It is certainly not the intention of the management of the Hospital in Rybnik or its owner (Silesian Voivodeship) to lead to such a situation.

The insinuations of the head of the Trade Union of Operating Block, Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Workers' Union that the hospital is managed by fear, uncertainty and disorientation are also not true. At the request of the social side, the management provides all the information it has and it is reliable based on the data that result from the hospital's financial documents.

It is incomprehensible that the chairperson of the Trade Union of Operating Block, Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Workers' Union regarding not performing procedures that bring money from the National Health Fund. We strongly emphasize that the Hospital basically lives only from the funds that are provided by the National Health Fund under the performed contract.

After an analysis of the financial and legal situation related to the payment of allowances resulting from post-strike agreements, as well as statutory wage increases, the social side was provided with preliminary information about intentions to terminate or change remuneration components. The hospital will carry out the above activities in accordance with the applicable legal procedures, and will inform the social party about the effects and formal actions taken in this respect in accordance with the statutory procedure. At this point, it should be noted that the effect of these actions will be that the Hospital will not increase the loss by another PLN 5 million in the near future, and by another PLN 16 million in the future.

All members of the Social Council (as well as representatives of Trade Unions participating in meetings) are kept informed about the financial situation of the Hospital (which is reflected in the documents that are provided to individual members of the Council and Trade Unions).

Referring to the issue of the Oncology Center, we would like to inform you that the funds to be allocated for this project amount to approximately PLN 18.8 million (and not PLN 27 million, as stated). It is also not true that it was the opinion of the statutory auditor that decided to refuse to finance this project. Persons evaluating the submitted application, based on the content of expert opinions and referring to the general difficult situation of health care in Poland, negatively assessed the prospects of this project. As a side note, we also point out that these were not measures aimed at saving the hospital's finances, as they would primarily serve the Oncology Department. The management declares, of course, in view of the materials and projects already in its possession, that it will join further competition procedures to achieve this goal, if any are announced.

Referring to the information on the incompetent management of the Hospital in previous years, it should be stated that in 2015 the Hospital recorded a positive financial result for the first time in several years, which also resulted in the first salary increases in several years. Later events related to the reform of the health service (introduction of a network of hospitals) resulted in a significant reduction of the Hospital's contract with the National Health Fund.

Despite this, as a result of two strikes that took place in the hospital in 2016-2018, the social side forced wage increases for hospital employees, which were not covered by the revenues generated under the contract with the National Health Fund. The effect of these actions is, on the one hand, the current difficult situation of the Hospital, and on the other hand, the need to withdraw from the above-mentioned "post-strike raises". It is obvious that these actions will be taken by the hospital management in accordance with applicable regulations.

On Wednesday, November 9, a letter of intent was signed between the Provincial Specialist Hospital No. 3 in Rybnik and the WSB Academy based in Dąbrowa Górnicza. The declaration was signed by: Director of the Provincial Specialist Hospital No. 3 in Rybnik - Dr. Jarosław Madowicz and the Rector of the WSB University, Dr. hab. Zdzisława Dacko-Pikiewicz, prof. AWSB.

The cooperation will allow for the implementation of scientific activities and tasks consisting in conducting joint undergraduate and postgraduate education in medical professions and in the fields applicable in health care. In addition, the letter of intent declares:

- joint development of postgraduate education programs,

One of the doctors is already working at the Emergency Department of the Provincial Specialist Hospital No. 3 in Rybnik, another is starting cooperation with the paediatrics department.

In the case of the second doctor, she can perform the duties of a medical guardian for the time being, because she is undergoing a procedure giving her the opportunity to practice her profession in our country.

- We are already after talks with other medics, including an internist who came to Poland from western Ukraine. He speaks Polish well and is also facing the procedure of admitting him to work as a doctor, so he will also start working with us as a medical assistant - explains Ewa Fica, director of WSS No. 3 in Rybnik.

The hospital helps Ukrainian medics go through all the formalities - they have lawyers at their disposal who provide advice at the stage of creating professional documentation, which must be submitted to the Ministry of Health. After a positive decision, they will be able to treat patients from Rybnik.

- We also try to help them start their lives in our city. The beginnings are the hardest for them and this is where our role is. The employees of the departments where they work also help, and I thank them very much for that - convinces Ewa Fica and adds: - These doctors intend to establish a relationship with Rybnik. Using their skills and experience, they will take care of the health of the inhabitants of our city and region. They are extremely valuable employees for our hospital and, to some extent, an antidote to the lack of native medical staff that affects the Polish health service.

Collection of medical supplies for the hospital in Ivano-Frankivsk: Thank you to the Donors for their BIG heart!

The collection of gifts for Ukraine in our hospital in Rybnik exceeded expectations. We managed to collect medical equipment worth a total of PLN 100,000. zlotys!

As Dr. Janusz Kowalski says,

- It was especially about the partner city of Ivano-Frankivsk.The action resonated widely among hospital employees, surrounding companies and donors. Donations were brought by several companies from our area, pharmacies, trade union organizations, schools, individuals and a psychiatric hospital. We got a total of equipment for about 100,000. zlotys. It will now reach the border, where it will be repacked by the Ukrainian services - explains Janusz Kowalski.

The hospital management was not surprised by the response. - However, the amount of goods and their value collected in one place exceeded our expectations.We will find dressings, painkillers, antibiotics, catheters there. In a word - everything that is needed, starting with bed bases, and even more than was on the list from Ivano-Frankivsk - adds the deputy director.

In turn, the director of the hospital - Ewa Fica - emphasizes that the hospital does not end with organizing further collections.- Antipyretics and antiemetics for children are still needed. I want to thank all donors. Everyone has contributed, from the porter to the professor, emphasizes Ewa Fica.

He also adds that the hospital is ready to accept patients from Ukraine.- We will definitely host people who need urgent medical care. The Marshal also informed us to prepare resources and opportunities in connection with people requiring urgent treatments. We also have to be ready for the injured.

Three people of Ukrainian origin work in WSS No. 3.They help as translators. The hospital is also applying for psychologists who speak Ukrainian. - For kids, a psychologist is the first aid that should be provided - explains Ewa Fica.

We were helped by:
- Chain of pharmacies Pod Lwem
- Pharmacy "Liberation" from Rybnik
- Silesian-Dąbrowski Region of NSZZ Solidarność
- Trade union organizations operating in the Provincial Specialist Hospital No. 3 in Rybnik
- Employees of WSS No. 3 in Rybnik
- Rybnik schools
- Individuals who brought donations to our hospital
- Employees of the Psychiatric Hospital in Rybnik
- Companies: e.g. Rodlew, QMD Art Design, Inter Cars, Kalyciok Auto Parts and many others.

Source:www.rybnik.com.pl

The National Health Fund has decided: there will be a cardiology clinic in our hospital!

From February 1, the cardiology clinic will be openin the Provincial Specialist Hospital No. 3 in Rybnik. On January 12, the National Health Fund settled the competition for benefits in this area.

There will be new equipment thanks to the help of the Ministry of Health

Almost PLN 140,000 for the purchase of a device for early neurological rehabilitation of upper and lower limbswith biofeedback will receive the Provincial Specialist Hospital No. 3 in Rybnik. The funding will be provided as part of the health policy program entitled Program for the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases POLKARD for the years 2017-2021.

Co-financing under the POLKARD program was obtained by 56 hospitals from all over Poland.It will allow to raise the standard of rehabilitation in these facilities.

- Despite the difficult financial situation, we are still developing and trying to improve the level of services for our patients.This is another help for our facility recently. On behalf of patients from the entire Rybnik region, we would like to thank you very much - says Ewa Fica, director of WSS No. 3 in Rybnik.

There will be money for necessary renovations in our hospital. Thank you!

The Management Board of the Śląskie Voivodeship adopted a resolution on concluding a subsidy agreement with the Provincial Specialist Hospital No. 3 in Rybnikwhich will result in financing the replacement of the water and sewage system in pavilion no. 5 of our facility.

- The subject of the resolution is the transfer of a special purpose subsidy up to PLN 1,965,000.00 for this purpose in 2021.In addition, the next session of the Silesian Voivodeship Assembly will be accompanied by a draft of changes to the Multiannual Financial Forecast, assuming financing of the investment in question in 2022 in the amount of PLN 8,989,000.00 - says Izabela Domogała, Member of the Management Board of the Śląskie Voivodeship.

This is great news for our hospital, because we deal with water and sewage system failures almost every day.It has been operating in our facility since the mid-90s of the twentieth century - made in old technologies, it is very unreliable. In fact, failures happen several times a week and have a very negative impact on the comfort of our patients.

- Therefore, I can only thank the Board of the Silesian Voivodeship for its help in this matter.For us, it is a priority investment - the costs of removing subsequent failures are a very heavy burden for us, and in fact they do not give much, because a few days after the repair the network fails in another place. In addition, they are often associated with temporary interruptions in water supplies, which should absolutely not be the case - says Ewa Fica, director of the Provincial Specialist Hospital No. 3 in Rybnik. - I also hope that the Sejmik of the Silesian Voivodship will support the changes in the Multiannual Financial Forecast. This should happen above political divisions, because the well-being of our patients is the most important thing.

This is not the only good news recently - the Board of the Silesian Voivodeshipcommenced procedural actions aimed at transferring a PLN 15 million loan to our branch to cover current liabilities to contractors.

- The financial situation of WSS No. 3 is very difficult and I have not hidden it since I took over as director in mid-December 2020.This loan from the Marshal's Office will allow us to catch a financial breath for a moment. I would like to thank Marshal Jakub Chełstowski for his help and support in these difficult times - says director Ewa Fica.

Let us remind you that only 2020 ended with a loss for the Rybnik hospitalamounting to almost PLN 34 million. On December 31, 2020, the accounting department of WSS No. 3 had to deal with short-term liabilities in the amount of PLN 69 million...

Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa helps. Thank you very much for your big heart!

A PLN 100,000 donation from Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa SA will be received by the Provincial Specialist Hospital No. 3 in Rybnik.Thank you very much, because the needs of our facility are huge and help