Slovaks to visit specialists without referrals

2010-09-08

From January 2011 onwards, Slovak patients should no longer need a referral from their GP, the so-called exchange card, to see a specialist, as the Health Ministry has proposed the abolition of this requirement. However, GPs will, on request, still inform their colleagues about the condition of the patient’s health or previous treatments as required.
The exchange cards frequently caused difficulty for patients, as they had to wait as long as two hours for the referral to be issued by the GP and then another two hours at the specialist, according to the Slovak Health Minister, Ivan Uhliarik, who confirmed that the ministry does not intend to introduce a new charge for a direct visit to a specialist.
The exchange cards were introduced in early 2008, but visits to gynaecologists and dentists were exempt. This exception was recently extended to psychiatrists and eye specialists. Those in a specialist’s long-term care or those suffering from acutely deteriorating health may also visit a specialist without a referral.