The Polish Ministry of Health is currently working on a draft amendment to the law governing certain medical professions, with the intent to include regulations regarding the profession of speech therapy. This initiative, however, has sparked significant opposition from the speech therapy community, which has been advocating for a separate law specifically addressing their profession for several years. The inclusion of speech therapists in the broader medical professions law has already faced protests, indicating a strong resistance to the proposed regulatory changes.

The new draft suggests the inclusion of 'clinical speech therapist' rather than a more general classification of 'speech therapist.' This change would mean that only a limited group would receive protection for their professional title, leading to potential legal consequences for others who do not meet this narrow definition. Such limitations raise concerns about access to care for patients requiring speech therapy, as the proposed law does not clarify how patients can be adequately directed within the National Health Fund (NFZ) to receive the necessary assistance.

This push to regulate the profession of speech therapy is a repeated effort by the Ministry of Health, reflecting ongoing governmental interest in the healthcare sector. However, the lack of collaboration with the speech therapy community and disregard for their years of proposed legislation highlight an ongoing disconnect, potentially complicating the integration of speech therapists into the healthcare system. The implications of this draft amendment could widen disparities in healthcare access for speech therapy services in Poland, as debates on professional qualifications and patient accessibility continue to unfold.