In order to make an appointment with a specialist doctor, patients need a referral from a Primary Healthcare doctor (GP, or General Practitioner) This rule does not apply to visits to:

• dentists
• gynecologists and obstetricians
• oncologists
• psychiatrists
• addiction treatment clinics
• HIV clinics
• clinics for tuberculosis patients
• for war invalids and repressed people

A referral (from a GP or a specialist) is also needed in order to be admitted to a hospital, with the exception of emergency cases.

In the case of an e-referral, with a printed e-referral, patients report to a selected specialist clinic or hospital. In some facilities, it is enough to provide the patient’s four-digit referral code and PESEL by phone.

Currently, there is no regionalization for admissions to specialist clinics, which means that the provision of medical care services does not depend on the patient’s place of residence.

Information about the specialists contracted by the Lesser Poland Branch of the National Health Fund, as well as the waiting list for given benefits can be found at: https://zip.nfz.gov.pl/GSL/GSL/PrzychodnieSpecjalistyczne and http://terminyleczenia.nfz.gov.pl.