Nicosia, Cyprus. The health ministry is promoting a bill to change nurse-to-patient ratios in state hospitals as part of efforts to address staffing. The proposal would increase the number of patients nurses care for in several wards while also increasing the number of ward assistants.
Proposed changes to nurse-to-patient ratios
Currently, in surgical, pathology, geriatrics and midwifery wards, the ratio is one nurse per five patients during the morning shift, one per six in the afternoon and one per eight overnight.
Under the bill, the ratio would change to one nurse per six patients during the morning shift, one per seven in the afternoon and one per nine overnight.
In psychiatric wards, the current ratio is one nurse per six patients on all shifts. The health ministry is proposing one nurse per seven patients.
In continuous peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis wards, there is currently one nurse for every two machines in operation. The bill would increase that to three machines at a time.
Doctor discretion and ward assistants
The bill introduces a clause allowing a doctor to change the ratio depending on the severity of each case, within the framework set out in the legislation.
The number of ward assistants would also increase. At present, a ward with up to six patients does not require an assistant, wards with seven to 15 patients require one assistant, and one more assistant is added for every 15 additional patients.
The new bill provides for one assistant for up to six patients, two assistants for seven to 15 patients, and two more assistants for every 15 additional patients.
Next steps
Phileleftheros sources said the amendments were included in a package of measures to be announced soon by the health minister.
The bill will be examined by the House health committee once the new parliament is in session.