NICOSIA general hospital staff are in for a grim Christmas this year as staff shortages hit an all time low.
Personnel across all departments are being asked to cover double shifts to cope with the work overload, with many working 18-hour days with only a two-hour break in between.
“It’s a huge problem and has been this way since we moved to the new hospital,” a nurse, who wished to remain unnamed, told the Cyprus Mail yesterday.
“We are already working double shifts and now people are so exhausted that they’re starting to get sick and are taking sick leave, which means that those still working have even more work to do.”
She said the problem would worsen over the Christmas period and that this year it didn’t look like anyone would be off during the holidays.
“Normally someone will work Christmas and New Year and then be off for the Epiphany. Or they’ll be off Christmas and work New Year and the Epiphany and so on.
This year it doesn’t look like that is going to be possible for anyone.”
The nurse said the hospital was understaffed by at least 50 per cent and that despite promises that things would improve, they had only got worse.
“At first, we were told we wouldn’t have to work double shifts and then slowly we were asked if we would. No one is forcing us to do it, and we can say no if we want, but most people are agreeing to it.
“Even if we are paid overtime, it’s exhausting and we can’t cope any more. The result is that although some people accept to work the extra shifts, they end up getting sick and staying home for a week so it’s a vicious circle.”
Because of the lack of staff, she said everyone had to chip in and take on other roles.
“There are not enough porters or cleaners or doctors or nurses or ward assistants, but the public wants and needs to be served and so we all do our bit to ensure all bases are covered. No one forces us to do it but if we don’t the public will suffer,” she said.
As far as hiring more staff was concerned, she said that was up to the Health Ministry.
However, regarding the nursing department that was easier said than done: “There are no unemployed qualified nurses. They’re all hired already, which is why the private sector employs so many foreign nurses. We have to wait until the next batch of students finish their studies in June before our department gets any relief,” she said.
Until then, she said they would simply have to get on with it and hope things would improve.
Speaking to the Mail following a lengthy meeting regarding the new hospital yesterday afternoon Health Minister Charis Charalambous said the facility’s organisation, administration, staff shortages and equipment had all been discussed.
“The main two problems the hospital faces involve its organisation and administration and as soon as these are solved the rest will follow,” he said.
Charalambous added that steps had already been taken to ensure those two areas were dealt with.
As for nursing staff shortages, as well as the lack of radiologists and anaesthetists, the minister said he recognised there would not be enough newly qualified leavers to fill the places.
“That’s why we’ve said that foreigners qualified in these areas need speak only a little Greek. We’ve lowered the language requirements because we can’t find the people to fill the places and since the move to the new hospital our staff needs have increased,” he said.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2006
I guess if you have the qualifications you cant say you cant get a job anymore...
