Sejm Approves Reforms to National Oncology Network

The Polish Sejm has passed government-proposed amendments to the National Oncology Network act, a move designed to reduce administrative bureaucracy for hospitals and streamline cancer care processes for patients.

Legislative Progress and Objectives

In a near-unanimous vote, 436 deputies supported the amendment, with no opposition and 22 abstentions. The legislation now proceeds to the Senate for further consideration.

The amendment aims to eliminate redundant administrative burdens. Key changes include replacing mandatory, hospital-specific oncology hotlines with the general National Health Fund (NFZ) hotline and extending the timeframe for verifying network facilities from two to three years.

Digitalization and Operational Efficiency

A central pillar of the reform is the full digitalization of oncology treatment. By the end of 2026, the paper-based DiLO card will be replaced by an electronic version integrated into the national health system, linking cancer service billing directly to digital record-keeping.

The role of the oncology care coordinator is now officially established as a core hospital function. Furthermore, the organization of multidisciplinary therapeutic teams has been simplified, shifting the responsibility for coordinating councils to smaller hospitals (SOLO I) in cooperation with top-tier centers (SOLO III).

Overview of the National Oncology Network

The National Oncology Network is a cornerstone of the 2020-2030 National Oncology Strategy, backed by a 5.2 billion PLN budget. It is designed to provide comprehensive, standardized cancer care across Poland, regardless of a patient’s place of residence.

Established in 2023, the system functions across three tiers of regional hospitals (SOLO). The network relies on interdisciplinary teams tasked with unified care coordination and collective treatment planning.