23.06.2026 01:41
The Ministry of Health's 'Regulation on the Provision and Coordination of Home Healthcare and Palliative Care Services' was published in the Official Gazette and entered into force. The regulation aims to provide home healthcare, palliative care, family medicine, and inpatient treatment services through an integrated model, expand application channels, and ensure digital integration.
The 'Regulation on the Provision and Coordination of Home Health and Palliative Care Services' issued by the Ministry of Health has been published in the Official Gazette and entered into force. The regulation establishes an integrated service model based on continuity of medical care; it aims to provide home health, palliative care, family medicine, and inpatient treatment services together.
PALLIATIVE CARE PATIENTS' TREATMENTS CAN BE CONTINUED AT HOME
The new regulation also includes comprehensive services to ensure patients can receive sustainable and safe treatment at home. It aims to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of treatment processes for palliative care patients (services provided to patients with life-threatening, chronic, progressive, or incurable diseases) who require regular and long-term treatment. In this context, for patients who do not need hospitalization, palliative care services, wound and burn care, catheter applications, collecting and evaluating necessary tests, renewing reports for formula, medication, and diapers, arranging prescriptions, and possible interventional procedures can be provided within the scope of home health services.
HOME HEALTH SERVICES CAN BE PROVIDED TO PATIENTS IN NEED OF REGULAR MEDICAL FOLLOW-UP
Additionally, for patients whose treatment plan is established in healthcare facilities and initial application is performed, if deemed appropriate by the relevant physician, medical procedures that can be performed at home are now allowed to be continued by healthcare personnel in the home environment.
Thus, it aims to enable individuals with regular treatment needs due to cardiovascular and neurological diseases, advanced stage chronic diseases, rare diseases, and similar health issues to continue their medical processes in their own living environments.
APPLICATION CHANNELS FOR HOME HEALTH SERVICES INCREASED
Under the regulation, application channels for home health services have been expanded, allowing applications to be easily made by the patient or patient relatives through ESHIM (Home Health Services Communication Center - 444 3833) and other communication channels determined by the Ministry.
With the regulation, it is aimed that first-time applications for home health services are transmitted to ESKOM (Home Health Services Coordination Center) via the electronic information system and simultaneously to family medicine. Family physicians decide whether the request falls within the scope of home health or palliative care by using remote health services or based on the patient's medical history.
PALLIATIVE CARE AND HOME HEALTH COORDINATION UNITS TO BE ESTABLISHED
Palliative care and home health coordination units will be established within healthcare facilities to strengthen organizational processes. The coordination units will be integrated with the Home Health Services Coordination Center, making it possible to provide space for patients in need of palliative care in hospitals and to direct home health service teams to patients in need.
The regulation clearly defines palliative care services; service types, service structuring, planning principles, and patient management processes are addressed. Procedures and principles for referral, admission, discharge, and care transition processes have also been determined.
DIGITAL INTEGRATION AMONG HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEMS TO BE ENSURED
With the regulation, technical connections will be established among health information systems, and a comprehensive service information system will be created electronically. In this context, centered on ESYS (Home Health Management System) where home health services are conducted; integration will be ensured with the Family Medicine Information System (AHBS), Hospital Information Management System (HBYS), and Remote Patient Assessment System (UHDS).
Additionally, remote health services will become part of the integrated care model, strengthening digital communication opportunities among family physicians, home health teams, and hospitals. In this context, it aims to increase efficiency in healthcare service delivery, strengthen continuity of care, and create a sustainable healthcare service model.