Nicosia, Cyprus. State doctors union Pasyki on Friday called for a thorough investigation into incidents raised by the nurses’ union Pasyno, saying vague reassurances do not answer serious patient safety concerns.
Union challenges response to reported incidents
Pasyki said claims that cardiac arrests are reported daily in hospitals do not address whether the two specific incidents cited by Pasyno involved adequate safety conditions, sufficient staffing and proper supervision.
Such allegations, the union said, cannot be dismissed with general statements.
Concerns over treating patients outside specialty departments
“Treating patients outside their specialty department is not a neutral or painless practice. It is a solution of necessity, which presupposes clear medical responsibility, sufficient and experienced staff, and organised clinical oversight. When these conditions are not ensured, the risk to the patient increases objectively,” the union said.
Okypy rejects claims about deaths and ward placement
Okypy earlier this week rejected claims that two people died of heart attacks because they were being treated in the wrong wards.
Staffing pressures and budget delays
Pasyki said it has repeatedly warned that chronic understaffing, closed beds and departments operating beyond safe limits create real clinical risk for patients and for staff working under pressure and increased responsibility.
The union said attributing the situation to seasonal overcrowding is not an adequate explanation and reflects long-standing failures in planning, adding that winter pressures are predictable.
“Prediction and timely staffing are the administration’s responsibility, not a circumstantial phenomenon,” it said.
Pasyki also said the situation is compounded by the fact that Okypy’s 2026 budget has yet to be approved, directly limiting recruitment capacity.
“Patient safety is not suspended due to budgetary delays, nor is it shifted as responsibility onto frontline health professionals,” it said.
What steps should health authorities take to address staffing, oversight and patient safety concerns raised by unions?
