Protest by Hospital Psychiatric Department Employees΄ Union on 11 November
CORFU. They report that a colleague was attacked and injured.
(Corfu General Hospital Psychiatric Department Employees΄ Union) On 6 November, a nurse in the serious cases psychiatric unit was injured during their shift after being attacked by a patient, resulting in a fracture of the upper limb.
This is not the first time that incidents of violence have occurred in this unit, affecting either nursing staff or other patients, nor is it the first time we have highlighted this issue.
In an inadequately designed facility, with only two nursing staff members per shift responsible for handling a wide range of different cases, it is only a matter of time before a similar or worse incident occurs again.
It is a fact that in serious care departments, patients are ADMITTED INDISCRIMINATELY, including individuals who should not be there, such as patients with mental disabilities, autism and others who require care in specialised therapeutic units.
Moreover, the percentage of involuntary hospitalisations exceeds 60% of patients, and displays of aggressive behaviour by patients, either upon admission or during their stay, are a common occurrence. This situation, combined with understaffing, material deficiencies, and logistical failures, creates an extremely dangerous environment for both patients and staff.
While it may seem obvious, we stress that the responsibilities of nursing staff are exclusively limited to providing nursing care in accordance with the principles of nursing science. It is illegal and, as proven, dangerous for them to play the role of guards, security personnel, etc., in clinics where there are numerous psychiatric admissions.
We demand the bare minimum that should be guaranteed in a supposedly well-governed State: the safety and dignity of workers and patients.
We demand that the administration and all relevant hospital services take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of the health and physical integrity of both employees and patients.
We call on the staff of the serious cases unit to participate in a protest on Monday, 11/11/2024, at 12:00 pm, at the nursing management and administration office of the hospital.
