We recently reported that a discussion lasting about an hour was held on the county hospital during the March session of the Bolesławiec County Council (details in the article How long do you have to wait in the emergency department? Will conditions in the ward improve?). Another issue was also raised during the discussion—the operating theatre.
How does the local government intend to finance the construction of a new operating theatre? There are three options (we described them in the article The county has a problem with the hospital. What about the operating theatre?).
The issue returned during the March meeting of the Bolesławiec County Council. County Governor Dariusz Kwaśniewski:
On September 23 last year, we decided on the County’s most important investments and development initiatives. I remember it as if it were yesterday—it was a very long and substantive discussion. At that time, we decided that the hospital was the most important issue. And it remains the most important issue to this day. I want to tell you that we are still trying to find the optimal model and method of financing the construction of a new operating theatre. But it is not easy.
The County Governor admitted that the local government cannot afford to take out a loan for this purpose. “That is why it is taking so long, and that is why we are meeting with representatives of capital groups that manage hospitals,” said D. Kwaśniewski. “The problem is that they are not proposing anything that we believe would be good for residents. They want to be paid for managing the contract and claim that they would do it better than our directors.”
“I do not believe that,” the County Governor continued. “Perhaps they could buy some services or goods more cheaply because they are large. Besides, the Zdaniuk-Lambrinow duo has managed the hospital for nine years in such a way that it has been steadily developing and making a profit. And this is primarily so that it can repay old debts.”
What happens next? Talks with the municipal authorities are under way. The County Governor mentioned, among other things, that under the law, 1% of the Bolesławiec City budget amounts to PLN 1.5 million. And if the Urban Municipality were willing to support “not the County, not the County Board, not the County Governor, but all of us” and transfer that 1%, the county authorities would manage to build a new operating theatre.
Czy gminy powinny wesprzeć szpital, z którego korzystają wszyscy mieszkańcy powiatu?
“The talks are continuing,” said D. Kwaśniewski. He immediately added: “I am not optimistic.”
As we have established, some municipalities have declared their support for the hospital. Binding decisions on the matter are expected in May. We will return to the issue.