On October 18-20, 2023, a Convention of Directors of Regional Social Policy Centers from all over Poland was held in Bialystok, with the participation of the Advisor to the President of the Republic of Poland, a representative of the Ombudsman, and directors of Health Departments of Marshal Offices.

The purpose of the meeting was to present, discuss and adopt recommendations for system changes on the basis of a new model of home hospice care, including home caregivers, tested during 30 months in five Podlasie rural communities.

Recommendations include the introduction of a new definition and delivery of care, we suggest changes in regulations, publications and care delivery, setting a new criteria for admission to home hospice care, facilitating access to strong painkillers, flexible contracting for the composition of the home hospice team and introducing a depen

dent care coordinator.

Our recommendations are addressed to the Ministry of Health, the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tarification, the National Health Fund, the Patient Ombudsman, the Ministry of Family and Social Policy, the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, the Department of the European Social Fund, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ombudsman.

Convention participants also had the opportunity to see how we operate in the field during a bus tour of the dependent care coordinator route. They also visited the Foundation’s stationary hospice in Makówka where they had the opportunity to learn more about the history and activities of the Foundation.