SEOUL — The government announced on Thursday a pilot program designed to enable tertiary general hospitals to focus more on critical and emergency patients. This initiative is part of a broader effort to overhaul the country's medical system.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the pilot project will commence in September following a special committee meeting on medical reform held at the government complex in Seoul. As part of the restructuring, general beds in tertiary general hospitals will be reduced by up to 15 percent, and the proportion of intensive care units will be increased to over 50 percent. To incentivize hospitals, fees for major surgeries will be significantly raised, and new fees will be introduced for on-call duties, ensuring that hospitals treating severe cases receive higher compensation.
The plan aims to reduce unnecessary competition and enhance synergy by having tertiary general hospitals handle critical and emergency patients, while neighborhood hospitals manage mild cases. Additionally, to address conflicts arising from medical accidents, hospital directors will be held responsible for preventing such incidents. A "patient representative" role will also be established to assist victims of medical accidents at hospitals.