KO MP Skips Hospital Queue, Alleges Retaliation by Facility Management

On Tuesday, June 23, reports surfaced that Civic Coalition MP Małgorzata Pępek accessed medical diagnostics at a Żywiec hospital ahead of a 23-month waiting list, triggering a conflict over administrative procedures and claims of political retribution.

Allegations of Queue-Jumping

Portal Zero reported that MP Małgorzata Pępek utilized diagnostic services at the hospital in Żywiec, Silesian Voivodeship, in February 2025 despite a typical wait time exceeding 23 months. The hospital administration stated that the MP bypassed established queues, refusing to bill the National Health Fund (NFZ) for the procedure and notifying her that only a physician may authorize accelerated appointments based on medical necessity.

Accusations of Political Retaliation

Pępek released a statement on Tuesday evening characterizing the media reports as an act of retaliation for her ongoing parliamentary oversight regarding organizational irregularities and public-private partnership transparency at the facility. She further condemned the alleged unauthorized disclosure of her medical data as a violation of patient privacy.

Divergent Interpretations of Compliance

The MP maintains that her appointment followed standard procedure, noting she was contacted when a slot became available in the schedule. Conversely, the hospital’s spokesperson, Karolina Kocięcka, rejected the claim that the facility breached medical confidentiality, asserting that data protection remains a paramount institutional value.

Escalation and Parliamentary Oversight

Following the dispute, Pępek shifted her parliamentary focus to the hospital’s governance and financial reporting, signaling intent to involve the Supreme Audit Office and the National Labour Inspectorate. The MP stated she now views the facility as a risk to her health, having instructed her family to avoid the hospital in the event of an emergency.