The Impact of Funding and Lack of Specialists on Healthcare Queues

Almost as much was invested in hospital services and expenses. A little over 16 million went directly to the services provided by specialist doctors. Even less money has gone to laboratory services. The remaining amount is divided between general practitioners, patient meals, children’s dentistry and ultrasonography allowances.

The issue of queues is related not only to funding, but also to the lack of specialists. The industry is convinced that if solutions are not found, the problem will become more and more noticeable.

The information gathered by the Health Service shows that the longest average waiting time – 330 days – is with geneticists. Both children and adults may have to stand in a nearly five-month long queue to receive rehabilitation services. You might have to wait almost as long to get an MRI.

You may have to wait at least three months for a visit to an endocrinologist or rheumatologist, or for an ultrasonography examination.

“Neka Personīga” called several medical institutions in the Riga region to find out about the possibilities of making an appointment with various specialists and examinations. While the information collected by the health service shows that you have to wait an average of one and a half months for a visit to a gastroenterologist, state-paid visits were no longer available in any of the institutions called by “Neka Personalīga” this year.

Conversation with the health center “Dziedniecba”

NP: Hello, I wanted to find out about an appointment with a referral from a family doctor for a state-paid visit to a gastroenterologist?

VC: Yes, gastroenterologist, I’ll tell you right away. At the moment, one place became available, if it is not taken yet. October 24, 8:45, this is the only thing we can offer paid by the state until the end of the year.

NP: Got vacated there because someone just quit recently?

VC: Yes

NP: No more until the end of the year?

VC: There is nothing at all with Dr. Janovičs and then it is only for a fee.

2023-10-22 17:30:21


#Additional #funding #health #sector #significantly #reduced #queues #specialists