Silesian hospitals sound the alarm: hate speech kills trust in healthcare

• - Tensions not only weaken trust in healthcare institutions, but also intensify the staffing crisis and destabilize the functioning of entire facilities - explains the union
• The services responsible for public safety were called upon to respond decisively and immediately to all cases of threats, intimidation and aggression directed against representatives of medical professions and persons managing healthcare facilities.
• They expect local and central government authorities to provide support to the medical community and take action to protect against the growing wave of violence.

- The Association of District Hospitals of the Silesian Voivodeship observes with deep concern the increasing manifestations of hate speech, threats and other forms of aggression - both in public space and in social media - directed against representatives of medical professions and management staff of health care facilities - we read in an open letter sent by the association.

- There is no doubt that the healthcare system in Poland is in a difficult situation and requires thorough reforms. District hospitals often operate in a state of permanent organizational and financial crisis, and decisions made by facility managers and medical personnel are burdened with exceptional responsibility and risk. Daily work in this sector requires not only knowledge and competence, but also mental resilience and readiness to act under pressure and restrictions - it added.

Hospitals made an appeal to:

• Services responsible for public safety – to respond decisively and immediately to all cases of threats, intimidation and aggression directed against representatives of the medical professions and persons managing healthcare facilities.
• Local and government authorities – to provide unequivocal support to the medical community and take actions to protect its representatives from the growing wave of verbal and physical violence.
• National, regional and local media – for responsible and balanced reporting of conflict situations related to healthcare, as well as for counteracting the dissemination of narratives that build social tensions and hostility towards healthcare workers.
• Local communities – for understanding, empathy and support for people who care for the health and safety of city and county residents every day. Medical personnel are not only professionals – they are also members of our families, neighbors, and loved ones.

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