Ida-Viru County specialist doctors and hospitals' overtime coefficients
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-06-05 15:50
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 10m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The fourth item on the agenda was presented to the Riigikogu concerning healthcare issues. The discussion focused on the shortage of medical specialists in Ida-Virumaa and the overtime coefficients used by hospitals, which are coordinated long-term between the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa) and the hospitals themselves. The coronavirus crisis often limited the availability of specialists, and now, against the backdrop of a recovery that has seemingly taken hold over the past two years, the number of patient visits has grown significantly. Simultaneously, the hospital network has had to continue providing treatment according to contractual terms, which include coefficients of 0.7 for outpatient services and 0.3 for inpatient care. If the volume is exceeded, variable costs—primarily labor compensation—are covered, but fixed costs must remain within the contractual limits. The need for short- and medium-term financing amounting to 30–50 million euros has been highlighted to ensure the sustainability of medical services and prevent mandatory furloughs in December. Furthermore, the impact of the aging population was acknowledged, along with the resulting need to increase the volume of services due to varying demand growth across different regions.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Aleksei Jevgrafov, a member of the Riigikogu; political affiliation: other (his party line is not specified in the text).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is submitting the fourth question to Minister of Health Riina Sikkut. The questioner is Aleksei Jevgrafov, and the topic is specialist doctors in Ida-Viru County and the overtime coefficients for hospitals.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The presentation addressed the impact on funding caused by the restrictions on specialist medical care and the growth in patient numbers following the coronavirus crisis. It noted that the hospital network's treatment costs have exceeded the contractual limit during the first months of the current year, requiring an additional 30–50 million euros, otherwise staff may face mandatory furlough in December. Furthermore, the presentation inquired whether the budget had taken into account the increased utilization by chronically ill patients, and how and using what coefficient overtime compensation was planned.
Terviseminister Riina Sikkut
AI Summary
Riina Sikkut explained that hospitals have signed contracts with the Health Insurance Fund that limit the volume of work by specialty. Furthermore, excess volume is reimbursed using a coefficient of 0.7 for outpatient work and 0.3 for inpatient treatment. Although demand is growing and costs are increasing due to the aging population, the 13% allocated from the social tax will not be able to finance all necessary needs in the future, which will consequently lead to waiting lists. However, this year, approximately 94% of the needed services can be met, which necessitates further efforts in increasing the volume of services and during budget negotiations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gave the floor to the minister, thanked him, and asked Aleksei Jevgrafov to pose a clarifying question.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Jevgrafov raises the issue of the shortage of specialist doctors in Ida-Viru County and asks whether a separate quota for assigning residents could be established there to alleviate the problem.
Terviseminister Riina Sikkut
AI Summary
Riina Sikkut stated that the additional funding provided during the COVID period is keeping the Health Insurance Fund's budget balanced this year, but next year a significant deficit is expected. Therefore, services must be maintained and volumes increased, especially in Ida-Viru County hospitals. To achieve this, plans include using starting grants to attract young doctors and nurses, and expanding residency opportunities to cover all county hospitals. However, specific directed placements or reservations are not planned, and the initial figures will be finalized in mid-July.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the speaker and asks for a follow-up question addressed to Aleksandr Chaplygin.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin thanked the presiding officer and the minister, noted that his question did not concern Ida-Virumaa, and asked about the current status of the Tallinn Hospital project.
Terviseminister Riina Sikkut
AI Summary
Riina Sikkut stated that the Tallinna Haigla Foundation has been established for the construction of the Tallinn Hospital, and preparations are continuing. This includes work on the project for the large new hospital building—the first of its kind—where the initial design procurement failed, necessitating a second attempt. While it is challenging to find experts, including international ones, the plan is to create a unified hospital organization by merging the East Tallinn Central Hospital and the West Tallinn Central Hospital, and to proceed with financing and construction decisions once the budget and political consensus are in place.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar announced that the fourth question had been concluded, and the fifth question, concerning the nursing home reform and intended for Signe Riisalo, was scheduled to follow. However, due to the absence of Andres Metsoja, this question will not be addressed.