Nicosia, Cyprus. The state health services organisation (Okypy) said allegations that inadequate staffing at Nicosia general hospital led to two patients suffering a heart attack do not correspond to reality. The response followed claims by the Pasydy union nurses’ branch.
Union allegations
The union’s general secretary Savvas Iacovou said two patients admitted through the accident and emergency department were not transferred to their designated wards and were instead placed temporarily in another ward that was overcrowded and understaffed.
He said the lack of supervision by experienced personnel put both patients at risk.
“We don’t have the wards staffed because we don’t have personnel. These are decisions by the organisation not to fully staff the wards,” Iacovou said.
According to the union, both patients suffered cardiac arrest while in the ward.
“They were revived, but their lives were in serious danger. One is currently being treated in intensive care,” Iacovou said.
Okypy response
Okypy spokesman Charalambos Charilaou said cardiac arrests occur daily in hospitals and rejected the suggestion that patient placement amounted to a safety failure.
“At this moment at Nicosia general hospital there are at least 20 patients in wards other than the speciality they belong to. Does this mean all these people are in danger and that we are putting patients at risk?” he asked.
Charilaou said the two cases in question involve an orthopaedic and a pulmonology patient.
“The fact that we have overcrowding during this period, as happens every year at this time, cannot justify statements of this kind which do not correspond to reality,” he said.
What steps do you think should be taken to address overcrowding and staffing concerns at Nicosia general hospital?