The article deals with the issue of access to health services financed from the public funds in Poland with regard to the so-called “network of hospitals” introduced on October 1, 2017. The network of hospitals is an instrument commonly applied for infrastructure planning, which is essential in providing patients with access to hospital treatment. The main purpose hereof is to present new legal solutions regarding the functioning of the hospital network in Poland in connection with ensuring access to healthcare services financed from the public funds for patients. The authors of the article made an attempt to assess whether the reform introducing the network of hospitals in Poland will contribute to the improvement of access to health services for patients and influence the increase of their health security. The above considerations are founded on the genesis and the concept evolution of the network of hospitals in Poland. The Polish experiences collected in the field mentioned above as well as the international experiences applied in selected European countries were presented herein. The network of hospitals functioning in Poland was analyzed in detail, and the authors indicated strengths and weaknesses thereof as well as existing and potential opportunities, and threats in its functioning.
