Reform of hospital levels was one of the priorities of former health minister Ilze Viņķele. It was planned to be completed by the end of 2020 but never was. Now there is a new plan devised for hospital level revision.
The report includes a number of proposals, including dropping the status of second-level hospitals altogether, reallocating them to third and first levels. Currently, there are five levels of hospitals in Latvia, the fifth being the highest.
The report also concludes that Riga has an insufficient number of beds for therapeutic patients and patients with chronic illnesses. In 2020 this number should reach 360 in Rīga and Pierīga territory.
Saeima Deputy Andris Skride told Latvian Radio that it is not planned to reduce the number of hospitals in Latvia. The reforms will be discussed at the Saeima Social and Labor Affair Committee.
