The management of the Nursing Home at ul. Bobrowiecka in Warsaw349 reported that one of their residents had been hospitalized and found to be infected. After the home was notified of the infection, 34 people who had direct contact with the infected resident were identified to be reported to the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service. The next day, the management of the facility, despite several attempts, could not contact the Service by phone so the list was sent to them by e-mail. However, the Service refused to conduct tests for the presence of the coronavirus. The facility managers decided to have the tests conducted by a private laboratory, at the facility’s expense. Both cases took place at the beginning of the pandemic but, according to later replies, the problem was never fully resolved. This clearly confirms that not all sanitary and epidemiological stations were able to cope with the large numbers of outbreaks in their areas (as was seen also in the case of social care homes). The regulations gave significant freedom to the institutions and authorities to take decisions about testing. Staffing problems The provision of proper care to patients in long-term care and treatment facilities was the greatest challenge during the pandemic. Work orders issued by voivodeship governors, as in the case of SCHs, were ineffective. Moreover, problems occurred in the contacts between the National Health Fund and voivodeship governors. The difficulties prove that there were no effective systemic solutions. This is of particular concern because the lack of staff or their limited performance of professional duties may bring a direct threat to the health or life of the residents. Psychological support In facilities where the staffing situation was not too bad psychological support was provided350. Due to the fact that the psychologist from the home at ul. Bobrowiecka in Warsaw was on quarantine, psychological support was provided to the residents by telephone351. However, the Treatment and Care Home for Children in Piszkowice ensured the possibility to contact a psychologist employed by the facility. Also, during the pandemic, the support of was also available within the cooperation with an external entity providing such services locally. In the facility run by Caritas of the Warsaw Archdiocese, psychological support was additionally provided to family members of patients. 349 Letter of 7 April 2020. "Biały Domek" Nursing Home for ill, dependent and senior persons in Majdan Ruszowski; Long-Term Care and Treatment Home in Jarosław, "Wigor" Nursing Home in Legionowo. 350 351 Letter of 7 April 2020, 51/2020. 134