Polish county hospitals are closing maternity wards despite government regulations allowing specialized midwife-staffed delivery rooms.
Declining Birth Rates Drive Maternity Ward Closures
Decreasing birth rates are forcing changes in county hospital management. Last year, 26 maternity wards were closed nationwide. Since January of this year, four additional maternity wards have been liquidated, with two more closures already planned.
Government Plan: Midwife-Staffed Delivery Rooms
The Ministry of Health is proposing that closed maternity wards be replaced with specialized delivery rooms staffed by midwives on duty 24 hours a day. This alternative model of perinatal care is intended to fill the gap left by disappearing maternity departments.
Targeting Rural Areas Without Maternity Services
The new delivery room model is specifically designed for hospitals without maternity departments that are located more than 25 kilometers from the nearest full-service maternity facility. These specialized rooms aim to ensure continued access to childbirth services in rural areas.
