Polish Ministry of Health proposes new regulations to reduce emergency response times for medical dispatchers.
Regulatory Changes to Shorten Response Times
A draft regulation from the Polish Minister of Health, submitted to the Journal of Laws on January 19, 2026, amends existing procedures for handling emergency calls by medical dispatchers. This implements authorization from the State Medical Rescue Act and responds to Supreme Audit Office (NIK) findings concerning the 112 emergency number.
Streamlining Emergency Call Procedures
The main objective is to reduce processing time for calls from emergency centers. Currently, dispatchers receive a basic information form upon receiving a 112 call, then conduct interviews before deciding on the response. The new regulation aims to streamline this process to minimize errors and reduce dispatch time for medical teams.
Resource Management and Specialized Response
The Ministry has accepted proposals for rational use of rescue resources. Specialist teams will be prioritized for the most serious cases (CODE 1), while basic teams will handle lower priority cases (CODE 2). Additionally, provincial medical coordinators will be involved in CBRNE and HAZMAT incidents, with immediate notification required for proper coordination and resource access.
Simplified Processes and Implementation
Informational obligations for dispatchers have been simplified, eliminating the need to separately notify coordinators about teams from other regions. Dispatchers will also be able to activate support units during mass casualty situations. The regulations will take effect 14 days after announcement, with the draft currently in consultation.