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The professional qualifications of Polish nurses are automatically recognised in EU Member States. Since 2013 this automatic recognition concerns not only nurses with an academic degree but also those who completed a medical secondary school before 2004, i.e. before Poland’s accession to the EU.

The ban on pharmacy advertising entered into force on 1 January 2012. Since that time a heated debate has continued to recur between the proponents of this solution, the Supreme Pharmaceutical Chamber(Naczelna Izba Aptekarska), in whose opinion medicines cannot be regarded as ordinary goods, and those against, including the Lewiatan Confederation which has pointed to the resulting barriers to market competition.

The counteraction of abuse towards the patients of psychiatric hospitals and assurance of the realisation of the rights of such patients are the main objectives of the psychiatric hospital patient rights commissioners.

The SPA-treatment sector serves as a continuation of in-patient and out-patient care. A person insured with the National Health Fund can apply for such a form of treatment. The main purpose of such a stay is rehabilitation or the treatment of chronic diseases.

Organic farming in Poland continues to develop, which is evidenced by the rising numbers of certified farms and farming area used according to organic farming regulations. However, it is hard to tell if the organic products are actually any healthier.

Advice on how to quit smoking, spirometric tests, measurements of the level of carbon monoxide in exhaled air, and individual, group and pharmacological therapies – these are the solutions suggested to the participants of the programme of tobacco-related diseases prevention.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease, and an untreated person can infect approximately from 10 up to 15 persons within a year. Available medication today allows the treatment of even the advanced stages of this disease but still the most important is its earliest detection when the lungs are only slightly damaged.

Physicians are the first who might notice the signs of domestic violence. It is important to react when they suspect that this is happening. Unfortunately, experts say that healthcare officials are the weakest link in the system of preventing violence.

Circulatory system diseases are the main reason for deaths in Poland and in the world. The National Health Fund offers free-of-charge tests to diagnose these diseases under its prevention programme.

Primary health care physicians, dentists, nurses or school hygienists – these are the specialists who provide prophylactic care to Polish pupils today.

Improving the quality of life of patients and their families, bringing relief in physical pain and mental support are the primary goals of hospice and palliative care. Such care also includes support for families helping them get through the difficult times of disease.

They provide spiritual support and give sacraments. Hospital chaplains are employed at most facilities. The patient has a statutory right to ask for a meeting with one and health care facilities are obliged to finance such services.