Kuldīga Hospital to become regional hospital from January
The government has approved amendments granting Kuldīga Hospital regional hospital status from 1 January. The hospital says it is ready, but stresses the need for additional funding.
Kuldīga Hospital will operate as a regional hospital from 1 January instead of its current third-level inpatient facility. The change is part of amendments to Cabinet regulations developed by the Ministry of Health, which the government approved this week.
Hospital director Andris Aniņš said the municipality-owned company is well prepared for the new status in terms of both profiles and volume of services. More than 10,000 patients are seen in the admissions unit every year, and around 4,000 are hospitalised. This is one of the indicators confirming that the hospital meets the regional level.
Aniņš cited the hospital's location in the centre of Kurzeme as an advantage, with the nearest large hospitals about 60 kilometres away. People from surrounding municipalities seek help here, and patients are also brought by the Emergency Medical Service. The hospital provides maternity, gynaecology, paediatrics, internal medicine, traumatology and surgery services, as well as outpatient and planned care, and rehabilitation is also well developed.
The director stressed that the new status will not mean much without appropriate funding. An agreement with the Ministry of Health and the National Health Service still has to be reached. He said the minister's promise of increased funding must be fulfilled so the hospital can fully carry out its functions and maintain round-the-clock emergency care. The tariffs paid by the state for services also need to match actual costs; otherwise, specialists cannot be secured and both emergency and planned care may be at risk. In his words, the status is meaningless if it does not come with funding.
The main task ahead remains preserving 24-hour care and attracting young medical staff. Over three years, the hospital has managed to stabilise the number of nurses and nurse assistants, though shortages remain in some specialties. Closer cooperation with medical institutions in surrounding municipalities is planned, including the hospital's branch in Aizpute and facilities in Saldus, Talsi, Tukums, Dienvidkurzeme and elsewhere.
