[54041] Dramatic Changes in Ukraine's Healthcare System: The End of the Era of Telephone Referrals to Specialists

A Revolution in Healthcare Procedures in Ukraine

Starting May 20, 2026, a significant change will take effect in Ukraine's healthcare system, eliminating the option to receive specialist referrals via phone call or through nurses. According to Україна Online, the new policy requires every patient to physically meet with their family doctor to obtain a referral, with patients being accepted without this document only in emergencies or for urgent hospitalization.

Reports in ТСН.ua indicate that the change stems from an update to medical information systems under the "one account - one person" principle, aimed at data security and strict identity verification. However, sources such as Політика.ua and UA.NEWS warn that the transition to a two-step verification method and the requirement for personal presence will lead to a marked increase in the burden on family doctors and the growth of long queues at medical institutions.

Новини Еспресо.TV, often defined as a pro-government channel but critical of system efficiency, featured comments from family doctor Olga, who admits the move will add a significant workload to medical staff: "The extra burden will fall on the doctors, as they will be forced to receive the patients and issue referrals that were previously issued by nurses."

The Ukrainian public, as evidenced by reports in Київ Головне and Юрист пише…, is reacting with deep concern to the changes, with the primary fear being a reduction in service accessibility for vulnerable populations and the elderly, who will have to cope with more complex bureaucracy to receive specialist medical care.