New Health Law Enters into Force: From Consent to Discipline, Important Changes Affecting the Lives of Health Workers

Ankara - The Law No. 7557 on the Amendment of Certain Health-Related Laws and Decree Law No. 663, which entered into force after being published in the Official Gazette dated July 24, 2025 and numbered 32965, introduced important regulations in the field of health. These changes, which Türk Sağlık-Sen is closely following, cover a wide range of issues, from patients' consent processes to health vocational high schools, from family medicine training to the disciplinary provisions of contracted personnel.

Patient Consent and New Regulations in the Field of Dental Prosthetics

The first of the innovations introduced by the Law is the addition to Article 70 of the Law No. 1219 on the Practice of Medicine and Medical Sciences. Accordingly, if the patient is a minor or restricted, the consent procedures to be obtained from the parent or guardian can now be obtained electronically. The procedures and principles of this application will be determined by the Ministry of Health.

An amendment to the additional article 13 of the same law expanded the term "Dental prosthesis technician" to "Dental prosthesis technician/technician". In addition to "health vocational high schools" and health technicians, the term "health technician" was added to the relevant article. In addition, the title of "Nuclear Medicine Technician" was included and defined in this article.

Flexibility and Incentives in Family Medicine Training

The amendments made to the Provisional Article 9 of Law No. 1219 offer important opportunities for those aiming to specialize in family medicine. Accordingly, the period of 1/1/2029 was changed to 1/1/2035. Those working as contracted family physicians according to the provisions of Law No. 5258 until this date will be able to do family medicine specialty training according to the results of the medical specialty exam, without being subject to central placement, within the framework of the principles determined by the Medical Specialty Board.

With another important regulation introduced in the same article, the duration of specialty training for those who have been working as family physicians for at least 5 years has been reduced to at least 4 years. For those who are new to family medicine, family physician specialty training will be completed in 6 years.

The law has also taken a step to increase the motivation of contracted personnel receiving family medicine specialty training. These individuals will benefit from revolving fund additional payments (excluding motivation payments) during their rotation periods spent in training institutions. In this way, family physician specialty trainees will be able to receive incentive supplementary payment from the institution where they receive training.

New Era and Title Changes in Health Vocational High Schools

The Provisional Article 15 added to Law No. 1219 has led to an important decision regarding the future of health vocational high schools. As of the effective date of this article, no students will be enrolled in programs other than dental prosthesis technician and health care technician.

Students who were enrolled in nurse assistant and midwife assistant programs until this date will complete their education in the programs where they were enrolled and will use the health care technician professional title. Likewise, those who graduated from the nurse assistant and midwife assistant programs of health vocational high schools until the effective date of this article will be able to use the professional title of health care technician.

Right to Additional Payment for Personnel Assigned to the Turkish Health Institutes

An important regulation was made with the Additional Article 6 added to the Law No. 209 on Revolving Funds to be given to Health Institutions and Rehabilitation Facilities Affiliated to the Ministry of Health. Accordingly, those who are assigned to the Presidency of Turkish Health Institutes (TÜSEB) among the personnel who receive additional payment in the health institutions and organizations affiliated to the Ministry of Health and affiliated organizations of the Ministry of Health will benefit from additional payment within the scope of this Law.

Changes in Disciplinary Provisions for Contracted Personnel

Additional Article 3 to Decree Law No. 663 has added a new dimension to the disciplinary processes of contracted personnel. The disciplinary provisions of the Law No. 657 on Civil Servants will be applied to contracted personnel employed under Article 42 of this Decree Law, except for the provisions of the Decree Law No. 663, regarding disciplinary penalties, competent authorities, disciplinary boards and other issues in case of acts and situations contrary to discipline.

One of the most striking changes is that the penalty of dismissal from the civil service will be applied by terminating the contract after the decision of the High Disciplinary Board and these persons will be dismissed from the civil service.

According to another provision in the same article, the penalty of suspension of progression for those who are not employed as civil servants in public institutions and organizations and who are appointed to the positions of Provincial Health Director, District Health Director, President, Vice President, Chief Physician, Deputy Chief Physician, Director, Deputy Director and Specialist specified in the Annex 2 of the Decree Law No. 663 will be applied by deducting 1/6 to 1/4 of their gross salary.

All these provisions entered into force on July 24, 2025, the date of publication of the law. These changes are expected to directly affect the working conditions, career opportunities and legal processes of many professionals in the health sector.