Latvian TV reported this evening about upcoming changes in the system for extending sick leaves. Long-term sick leaves could be extended without the conclusion of the State Medical Commission for Health and Work Ability Assessment. Such changes to the law are proposed by the Ministry of Welfare. The changes stipulate that if the recovery period lasts more than 26 weeks, or more than six months, the family doctor could also extend the sick leave based on the conclusion of another specialist doctor, without requiring the commission's conclusion. When a sick leave reaches 26 weeks or six months, it is currently necessary to obtain a conclusion from the State Medical Commission for Health and Work Ability Assessment to conduct an independent medical examination, assess the patient's health condition, and predict when the person will be able to recover and return to work. Now, the Ministry of Welfare proposes changes to the law that would eliminate the need for an independent commission's conclusion, allowing family doctors to extend sick leaves if a conclusion from another specialist doctor is obtained within 60 days and justifies the need for the extension. This is based on findings studied by the State Audit Office and recommendations. "Auditors examined that the experts of the State Medical Commission for Health and Work Ability Assessment are actually performing a function that is not characteristic for them. And with the heavy workload established for the commission by legislation, this is an additional task politically set in 2009," said Aldis Dudinš, the director of the Department of Social Services and Disability Policy of the ministry, in an interview with LTV. In 2009, as recalled by Daina Grabe, the head of the State Medical Commission for Health and Work Ability Assessment, the commission was involved to control the number of sick leaves issued at that time and the benefits paid. Currently, the commission prepares about 5,500 conclusions on extending sick leaves each year. This means that approximately that many people each year apply for a conclusion that would allow or not allow them to be sick for more than six months. In addition, the commission conducts disability assessments and establishes disability status, which is the main task of the institution. "Now the State Audit Office has also concluded that we have an overload. We expect that our doctors are working. They also work outside our institution, gain qualifications, consult clients, and treat. Both sides are involved, and as a result, of course, there is dissatisfaction on one side due to the large volume and workload, and also from the client who cannot wait for the appropriate decisions and conclusions," noted Grabe. The draft law has now been submitted for public discussion, which will last until next Monday. It will then be reviewed by the government and voted on in the Saeima. If the changes are supported, then from July 1 of next year until the end of 2028, as a pilot project, doctors will be able to extend sick leaves without the conclusion of experts. If there is no significant increase in the number of long-term sick leaves, the new procedure could be proposed for permanent implementation.