The Lower Silesian provincial government decided that, as of February this year, the duties of director of the hospital would be assumed by Janina Hulacka. Mariusz Put, the facility’s previous head, resigned. Officially, for health reasons. It is known, however, that the hospital incurred losses under the direction of the Wrocław native. As Mirosław Kochanowski, chairman of the “Solidarity” workplace committee, admits, stagnation prevailed here under Put.
The new director has extensive experience managing healthcare facilities. She managed two hospitals in Środa Śląska—one public and one non-public—and transformed the hospital in Lubań into a company. Before taking up the position as head of the Bolesławiec facility, she was responsible for merging two hospitals: the county hospital in Milicz and the psychiatric hospital in Krośnice.
The media speculate that the provincial government appointed Hulacka so that she could carry out a similar merger in Bolesławiec. In June 2007, we wrote that, according to trade union members, local governments were planning to merge the two Bolesławiec hospitals. “I will not comment on this matter,” the new head of the hospital told the IstotneInformacje.pl portal. “Please remember that this decision does not belong to me, but to the founding authorities,” she added.
Plans
One of the goals Hulacka has set herself is carrying out thermal modernization. The director also wants to establish two new wards: one for children and adolescents, and a stroke ward. All this is intended to bring the hospital out of its crisis. In 2008, the facility incurred losses. For this reason, hospital employees will probably not receive the promised pay rises. Talks with representatives of the trade unions are still under way. “I asked the trade union members to give me time to examine the whole situation,” Janina Hulacka says. “Pay rises are currently out of the question. I hope the staff’s common sense will prevail.”
Mirosław Kochanowski emphasizes that hospital employees can make sacrifices, but hopes an agreement can be reached and that the planned pay rises will be granted at a later date. The trade union representative is pleased, however, that the new director intends to seek savings without dismissing employees.
Asked about the hospital merger, Kochanowski replied: “It is still hanging over us, but our position has not changed. We do not want healthcare savings to reach an absurd level. People should matter here too.”
On Monday, the trade union members are scheduled to meet with Deputy Marshal of the province Piotr Borys.
(information ii)