Paediatric surgeon a "low priority" at Corfu Hospital
Corfu Hospital
21 Apr 2023
/ 10:28
CORFU. The position is not included in the organisational chart despite the specific needs as an island - Deputy Health Minister Mina Gaga has requested information regarding a family΄s complaint.
A paediatric surgeon is low on the list of priorities at Corfu Hospital, according to information received by Enimerosi, as there is no need for it based on statistical data. The issue of the lack of this specialty came to the forefront after a complaint from the family of an 11-year-old boy diagnosed with appendicitis on Easter Saturday. According to the complaint, the hospital informed them that they did not have a paediatric surgeon, but the general surgeon could handle the case. The mother decided to take the child to Athens.
Deputy Health Minister Mina Gaga, who visited the hospital during the New Democracy party's pre-election campaign, in addition to her general briefing, also asked to be informed about this particular issue. Both the surgeon who handled the case and the hospital director explained the matter in detail.
How and why
Medical sources have told Enimerosi that common incidents like this are considered a "grey" area in their treatment. Typically, for any type of surgery, the patient signs a consent form. Obviously, for minors, consent is given by their guardian. Meanwhile, the doctor is required by law - and the Hippocratic Oath - to state that this is a matter for a Paediatric Surgeon specialist. Thus, the decision lies with the parent, with one important exception - always under the condition that the incident is not urgent and has a specific timeframe for treatment. In cases of life and death, intervention must be immediate.
Not a high priority
Hospital sources say that a Paediatric Surgeon is not included in the organisational chart, as the number of these incidents does not indicate a high priority in secondary hospitals such as the one in Corfu, especially when there are significant shortages in basic specialities that are ranked high in the recruitment lists.
Specific needs of an island
The question is, of course, how a secondary hospital in a place with a high permanent - and even higher seasonal - population, which has specific needs as an island, comes under the same legal regulations as a hospital on mainland Greece.
According to Enimerosi's information, but also the admission of the Hospital Administration in a relevant press release, a larrge number of similar incidents are regularly handled by general surgeons. In Corfu, out of the 7 positions in the organisational chart, there are five 5 doctors.
They are generally considered highly experienced, capable doctors who have successfully managed many of these incidents in the past, although formally it should be a matter for paediatric surgeons.
Deputy Health Minister Mina Gaga, who visited the hospital during the New Democracy party's pre-election campaign, in addition to her general briefing, also asked to be informed about this particular issue. Both the surgeon who handled the case and the hospital director explained the matter in detail.
How and why
Medical sources have told Enimerosi that common incidents like this are considered a "grey" area in their treatment. Typically, for any type of surgery, the patient signs a consent form. Obviously, for minors, consent is given by their guardian. Meanwhile, the doctor is required by law - and the Hippocratic Oath - to state that this is a matter for a Paediatric Surgeon specialist. Thus, the decision lies with the parent, with one important exception - always under the condition that the incident is not urgent and has a specific timeframe for treatment. In cases of life and death, intervention must be immediate.
Not a high priority
Hospital sources say that a Paediatric Surgeon is not included in the organisational chart, as the number of these incidents does not indicate a high priority in secondary hospitals such as the one in Corfu, especially when there are significant shortages in basic specialities that are ranked high in the recruitment lists.
Specific needs of an island
The question is, of course, how a secondary hospital in a place with a high permanent - and even higher seasonal - population, which has specific needs as an island, comes under the same legal regulations as a hospital on mainland Greece.
According to Enimerosi's information, but also the admission of the Hospital Administration in a relevant press release, a larrge number of similar incidents are regularly handled by general surgeons. In Corfu, out of the 7 positions in the organisational chart, there are five 5 doctors.
They are generally considered highly experienced, capable doctors who have successfully managed many of these incidents in the past, although formally it should be a matter for paediatric surgeons.
