Not even one replacement for suspended employees at Corfu Hospital!
Corfu Hospital
15 Dec 2021
/ 10:28
CORFU. Despite the fact that the number of front line workers has been reduced by about 60, not even one of them has been replaced!
With Corfu Hospital under tremendous pressure due to the number of Covid admissions, it is being called upon to respond to the spread of the virus in Corfu with only 45% of basic positions covered.
On top of the decision by the hospital administration to suspend the operation of the outpatient department came the ministerial decision to suspend up to 80% of surgical operations. In practice, the hospital has the right not to accept any non-covid or non-emergency cases and there is no provision for those who are not insured.
At the same time, the Special Infectious Diseases Unit couldn't cope with the situation and a section of the Pulmonary Clinic was called into use. Last week the total number of Covid patients was just under 50 - a situation with which the facility could barely cope. The difficult cases of young children and pregnant women were transferred to Ioannina and the transfer of other cases is also being discussed, but nobody knows what the hospital administration will do next as they have put up a 'wall of silence'.
Not even one replacement
The needs are greater but the number of doctors and nursing staff working on the front line has been reduced by about 60 - those suspended due to non-compliance with mandatory vaccinations. These suspensions have been extended to 31 December. However, Corfu Hospital Employees Union President Dina Ioannou told Enimerosi that not even one of these has been replaced.
In a recent statement, Health Minister Thanos Plevris categorically ruled out the return to work of any suspended health workers if they don't get vaccinated. "We are telling these people, who were also fighting on the front line of the National Health System at the early stages and for whom there is tremendous respect, that for as long as the pandemic lasts no medical or nursing personnel will return to work if they don't get vaccinated. This is absolutely clear."
Increased pressure
According to information received by Enimerosi, the critical situation at the hospital has led to increased pressure and stress as the increase in Covid admissions and the limited personnel could, at any moment, cause the overstretched resources to collapse.
According to the union president, there are 13 nurses in the Special Infectious Diseases Unit at the moment and three have been transferred from another department. By simple calculation, this means three staff per 20-25 patients!
According to the EODY protocols, companions or escorts are not allowed for Covid patients, and so the needs of the patients can not be covered by family and friends as happens in other cases.
"Things are even worse in other departments," says Dina Ioannou. "One nurse in the Surgical Department, for example, could be responsible for up to 40 patients on their shift. What is happening is that staff are being transferred to the Covid Unit to cover the needs there, leaving the other departments understaffed. People are working without breaks, hardly any days off and all leave has been suspended since October. The only department that is properly staffed is the ICU, with 5 people on each shift."
It should also be noted that, at the end of March, the contracts of 120 auxuliary staff end.
On top of the decision by the hospital administration to suspend the operation of the outpatient department came the ministerial decision to suspend up to 80% of surgical operations. In practice, the hospital has the right not to accept any non-covid or non-emergency cases and there is no provision for those who are not insured.
At the same time, the Special Infectious Diseases Unit couldn't cope with the situation and a section of the Pulmonary Clinic was called into use. Last week the total number of Covid patients was just under 50 - a situation with which the facility could barely cope. The difficult cases of young children and pregnant women were transferred to Ioannina and the transfer of other cases is also being discussed, but nobody knows what the hospital administration will do next as they have put up a 'wall of silence'.
Not even one replacement
The needs are greater but the number of doctors and nursing staff working on the front line has been reduced by about 60 - those suspended due to non-compliance with mandatory vaccinations. These suspensions have been extended to 31 December. However, Corfu Hospital Employees Union President Dina Ioannou told Enimerosi that not even one of these has been replaced.
In a recent statement, Health Minister Thanos Plevris categorically ruled out the return to work of any suspended health workers if they don't get vaccinated. "We are telling these people, who were also fighting on the front line of the National Health System at the early stages and for whom there is tremendous respect, that for as long as the pandemic lasts no medical or nursing personnel will return to work if they don't get vaccinated. This is absolutely clear."
Increased pressure
According to information received by Enimerosi, the critical situation at the hospital has led to increased pressure and stress as the increase in Covid admissions and the limited personnel could, at any moment, cause the overstretched resources to collapse.
According to the union president, there are 13 nurses in the Special Infectious Diseases Unit at the moment and three have been transferred from another department. By simple calculation, this means three staff per 20-25 patients!
According to the EODY protocols, companions or escorts are not allowed for Covid patients, and so the needs of the patients can not be covered by family and friends as happens in other cases.
"Things are even worse in other departments," says Dina Ioannou. "One nurse in the Surgical Department, for example, could be responsible for up to 40 patients on their shift. What is happening is that staff are being transferred to the Covid Unit to cover the needs there, leaving the other departments understaffed. People are working without breaks, hardly any days off and all leave has been suspended since October. The only department that is properly staffed is the ICU, with 5 people on each shift."
It should also be noted that, at the end of March, the contracts of 120 auxuliary staff end.
