By 2029, Latvia plans to completely change the structure of its hospital network. Instead of the existing five-level system, there will be three categories of medical institutions: multidisciplinary, regional, and local hospitals, writes Diena. According to the Ministry of Health's plan, the most complex types of medical care will be concentrated in large hospitals that have the necessary equipment and a sufficient number of specialists. At the same time, basic medical services are promised to be kept as close as possible to the patients' place of residence. The need for reform is explained by the Ministry of Health through the conclusions of experts from the European Commission, the World Bank, and the State Audit Office. According to their assessment, the quality and accessibility of inpatient care vary significantly across different regions of the country, and the shortage of doctors prevents many hospitals from providing full 24/7 services. In fact, the reform means redistributing medical services among hospitals. Complex surgeries and treatments will be conducted more frequently in the largest centers, while smaller hospitals will focus on providing basic care, diagnostics, and treatment of chronic diseases. The Ministry emphasizes that residents will not be left without emergency medical assistance. All hospitals will have patient reception and on-call doctors available around the clock. On weekdays, night shifts are scheduled from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM, while on weekends and holidays, they will be available 24/7. The number of doctors in emergency departments will depend on patient flow. The category of multidisciplinary hospitals includes the eight largest medical institutions in the country, including both Riga university hospitals, the Children's Clinical University Hospital, as well as the hospitals in Liepaja, Daugavpils, Ventspils (Northern Kurzeme), Rezekne, and Valmiera (Vidzeme). This is where treatment for all major areas will be concentrated, including the most complex cases. Seven hospitals in Jelgava, Jekabpils, Jurmala, Kuldiga, Cesis, Madona, and Ogre will receive the status of regional hospitals. They will provide a wider range of specialized care, including in the fields of surgery, traumatology, obstetrics, and pediatrics. Another ten medical institutions will fall into the category of local hospitals. They will maintain 24/7 emergency care, patient reception, diagnostics, therapy, and treatment of chronic diseases. For most patients, the changes will primarily affect their treatment pathways. In cases of complex diseases or the need for specialized care, they will more often be referred to larger medical centers, while primary and emergency care should remain accessible in nearby hospitals. Despite the approval of the reform, the discussion around it continues. Industry representatives and the Ministry of Health have different assessments of the future consequences, so the practical results of the changes will become clear as they are implemented in the coming years.