An annual rate of decrease of doctors per 1000 inhabitants of 2 to 3 % is extremely alarming especially in the context of demographic ageing where additional recourses will need to be allocated to provide adequate medical care for the elderly. The number of hospital beds compared to the number of the population has remained constant and is sufficient according to experts. We do not have comparative statistics at the EU level in this regard. Though difficult to quantify, there are increasing problems with the safety of care in the Hungarian health care system. The "institution" of irregular payments flowing from patients to health practitioners is also highly toxic to the health care system.