Talks on a new labour deal for health workers are still going on, but a deal is expected, health minister Katya Ivkova told parliament's health committee.

"At this stage we're still negotiating the collective labour agreement for the health sector, and I think we'll find a solution," she told MPs. The previous agreement expired on April 12, 2024.

Ivkova asked MPs to keep discussing staff numbers in the system, the workload on doctors and nurses, the shortage of specialists, and extra payments made by patients.

Under the national framework contract, money for hospital care has gone up and the rates for clinical pathways have been raised, the minister said. Medical facilities set staff pay themselves.

"We recently opened new places under the programme that funds specialist training, including places for nurses," Ivkova added.