“The receivable for the year 2025 is 1,434,000 crowns and only 368,300 crowns were paid. In general, it can be said that the payment of the fee depends on the social group of the population from which the client comes. For homeless people or foreigners, enforcement is almost zero,” said Jana Petrová, spokesperson for the Klaudian Hospital in Mladá Boleslav.
The detention center there has three beds and last year 498 clients spent the night there, some repeatedly. 3000 crowns are paid here per night.
It is the homeless who routinely use the shelters as a free dormitory. In winter, there are quite common cases when they drink cheap alcohol or sniff thinners and contact the police themselves with a request to be taken into custody.
“For other groups of residents, it is more about their own conscience and shame. They will pay the fee in most cases. But overall, operation would not be possible without subsidies from the region and the city,” added Petrová.
The stay is paid only after release. When leaving, the client signs the invoice and receives a copy of it. “Approximately 70 percent of cases, however, remain unpaid or their recovery is very difficult. Subsequently, we proceed in the standard way. Claims are dealt with first through reminders and then they can be forwarded for further recovery,” described Kateřina Semrádová, spokeswoman for the Pardubice Region Hospital.
28 thousand people per year
According to data from the Institute of Health Information and Statistics, there are 18 detention centers in the Czech Republic and their capacity is 155 beds. Last year, almost 28 thousand people ended up in them.
“Clients are most often brought by the city police, the Police of the Czech Republic or the transport ambulance service from hospitals in the region. Admission is reported in advance by phone. Upon arrival, the individual will be examined by a doctor who will assess his health and decide on admission,” described Semrádová.
They will accept a drunk person at the station only if he is healthy and of legal age. The decisive criterion is how intoxication manifests itself in a specific person. The device is for people who do not control their behavior and thereby directly endanger themselves or another person, property or public order.
“Subsequently, we will write down and safely store his personal belongings. The paramedic will then escort him to his room. During the client’s stay, paramedics will regularly check him. His vital functions and state of consciousness will be monitored,” she added.
The stay lasts only as long as necessary, but a maximum of 24 hours. Upon discharge, the doctor re-evaluates the client’s condition and decides whether he is able to leave.
In the event that a person under the influence is not healthy, that is, has a serious injury, is unconscious or does not respond to stimuli, he ends up in a classic hospital bed. In addition, if he is brought by a fast rescue service, he is examined as a matter of priority.
“Such clients can be very demanding for ordinary hospital departments. They are often aggressive or uncooperative persons who require increased supervision and sometimes security measures. However, the staff is also taking care of other patients. In some cases, it is therefore necessary to call the police to help manage the situation,” added Semrádová.
