Estonia adopts new rules to ensure continuity of family doctors and adjust patient caps
The Estonian government approved amendments requiring health centres to provide up to three months of temporary coverage when a family doctor leaves, and to raise patient list limits.
On Thursday the Estonian cabinet approved a set of amendments to primary-care regulations. Health centres must now secure a temporary replacement for a family doctor who leaves, providing coverage for up to three months, and may extend this period if both parties agree. Should a permanent successor not be found, the Estonian Health Insurance Fund will step in to manage the practice list.
The notice period for doctors planning to leave remains six months, though earlier exits can be arranged by mutual consent. The Health Board's authority to take over a practice list after patients lose access is shortened from 60 to 30 days. Patient caps are raised to 2,000 per doctor, or 2,400 if a second doctor is available, though the bill still advises a maximum of 1,600.
Doctors exceeding 1,600 patients may refuse new patients if nearby doctors have capacity and must direct them to information on available lists. The changes await Riigikogu approval and would take effect on March 1.
Why it matters
The reforms aim to reduce gaps in primary care and balance patient loads across Estonia's health centres.
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