Hospices in Slovakia are raising alarms over insufficient funding for mobile palliative care, with the Association of Hospice and Palliative Care warning that current payments for home visits are unrealistically low and fail to cover actual costs, even though the Health Ministry claims payments were increased this year. Last year, the mobile hospice in Prievidza cared for 150 terminally ill patients, with payments covering only a third of expenses and the remainder coming from donations. Dr. Emília Vlčková, founder of the mobile hospice Svätá Lujza, explained that “when a patient has pain, vomiting, or unstable symptoms, we sometimes have to visit them twice a day.”
Hospice staff in Nitra also regularly visit patients, currently caring for 14 individuals, with each visit lasting three to three and a half hours. Juraj Barát, director of the Diocesan Charity Nitra, noted, “We are basically on the front line, caring for people in difficult situations, and the main risk is a reduction in quality of care.” The Health Ministry responded that payments for both stationary and mobile hospices were sharply increased last year and again this year, with daily nurse visits rising by €30 and joint doctor-nurse visits by €47. However, the Association argues that payments should be even higher, at €70 and €170 respectively, warning that without adequate funding, patients may end up in hospitals, which is “more expensive, less humane, and often against the patient’s wishes,” according to Association president Henrieta Žilková. The ministry maintains that current payments are sustainable and higher than in the past, noting a 60–70% increase in fixed rates and more visits, and hospices plan to continue discussions with the ministry over funding.
Source: STVR
