Funding and staffing problems threaten unique sexology clinic. It is one of two such facilities in Poland

• The reason for considering closing the sexology clinic is the risk of not being able to meet the requirements regarding the number of working hours of staff, in particular specialists in psychiatry or sexology
• The sexology clinic at the Mazowiecki Bródnowski Hospital is one of only two in Poland that accepts people under 16 years of age experiencing sexual health disorders.
• The hospital is actively seeking other sources of funding outside of contracts with the National Health Fund and is recruiting staff to maintain the clinic's operations. However, the hospital's salary requirements exceed its capabilities given its current loss-making operations.

The Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights has received information about plans to close down the sexology clinic operating at the Mazowiecki Bródnowski Hospital in Warsaw. According to reports, this is related to the growing problem with hiring medical staff.

This clinic is unique in the country: according to experts, it is one of only two sexology clinics in Poland that accepts people under 16 years of age experiencing disorders or disruptions in functioning in the area of ​​sexual health. It offers outpatient diagnostics and treatment for people with sexual dysfunctions, disorders of sexual preferences, sexual maturation and gender identity disorders.

In connection with the information received, the Ombudsman asked for clarification as to whether the reports of plans to close the clinic are true and, if so, to indicate the reasons for this decision.

In response, the president of the Mazowiecki Szpital Bródnowski , Teresa Maria Bogiel, indicated that the reason for considering the possibility of closing the sexology clinic is the risk of failure to meet the requirements specified in the regulation on guaranteed benefits in the field of psychiatric care and addiction treatment. These requirements concern ensuring an appropriate number of working hours for staff , in particular specialists in psychiatry or sexology. The salary requirements of the staff exceed the hospital's capabilities with such a deficit activity.

The hospital president also informed that the company, in view of the very low valuation of sexological services in contracts with the National Health Fund, is actively seeking other sources of financing for the sexological clinic. It is also conducting a staff recruitment process to ensure the implementation of such necessary services for this patient population. Seeking other sources of financing, apart from contracts with the National Health Fund, is to allow for balancing the clinic's activities and maintaining its further functioning.

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