250 nurses , ‘doing anything but nursing’
Around 250 seconded nurses are being forced to perform other duties in addition to or instead of their own jobs, leaving hospitals short of nurses.
nurses
British satisfaction with healthcare drops to new low
Fact: British satisfaction with the state-owned National Health Service (NHS) dropped to a record low for 2023, with only 24% of people being satisfied with the service.
The first allogeneic marrow transplant clinic in Cyprus
The first allogeneic marrow transplant clinic in Cyprus is being established, with the final preparations underway to enable the first marrow transplant in the country in the coming months. This clinic, presented by oncology professor Nicolaos Zamboglou, will feature increased hygiene protection measures and staffed by specialized doctors and nurses to ensure comprehensive care for both donors and patients. It has received all necessary approvals from the Ministry of Health and will offer its services through the General Health Service. The clinic aims to address the need for local transplant options, as currently, 25 Cypriots annually have to travel abroad for such procedures. The clinic will have three fully equipped rooms with sea views and exercise machines for patients. The first transplants will be conducted under the supervision of foreign specialists for added safety.
Kidney patients in Cyprus struggle despite medical progress
The Cyprus Nurses Association (PASYN) is advocating for better access to kidney healthcare in Cyprus, pointing out issues such as delayed early diagnosis, insufficient healthcare coverage, lack of awareness among healthcare workers, and the high cost of medications. On World Kidney Day, March 14th, PASYN highlighted the need for a comprehensive strategy to improve kidney and heart health and overall patient well-being. They noted advancements in treatment that could prevent or delay chronic kidney disease and its complications. PASYN emphasized the importance of public awareness and specialized training for healthcare professionals. Chronic kidney disease affects approximately 850 million people worldwide and was the cause of over 3.1 million deaths in 2019. It is the eighth leading cause of death and is projected to become the fifth by 2040. To increase awareness, an event is planned for March 20th, organized by TONONE/PASYN, the Cyprus Friends of Nephropatients Association (Limassol Branch), and the Cyprus University of Technology’s Nursing Department, to be held at the Cyprus University of Technology.
Central Prisons: CoE report flags overcrowding and conditions
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) released a report highlighting concerns about overcrowding in Cyprus’s Central Prisons and deficiencies in detention conditions across prisons, police holding cells, and Mental Health Services. The report points out issues such as understaffing due to overcrowding, with prison populations exceeding a thousand inmates, and inadequate detention conditions, where cells meant for fewer detainees now accommodate more. The CPT also expressed concerns about insufficient medical personnel in prisons, leading to staff members assuming nursing duties, and suggested increasing efforts to assess incoming prisoners to address suicide and attempted suicide incidents. The Deputy Director of Central Prisons, Haris Philipides, acknowledged the overcrowding problem and stated that measures are being promoted to alleviate it and improve conditions for prisoners and staff. An action plan has been developed for the Committee’s recommendations, with specific timelines to monitor implementation.
South Korea nurses to take on more medical work due to doctor walkout
South Korean nurses have been legally authorized to perform certain medical procedures typically done by doctors, as announced by the health minister. This decision comes in response to a walkout by trainee doctors protesting against a government plan to increase medical school admissions to address a doctor shortage. The walkout has significantly disrupted hospital services, with more than two-thirds of resident and intern doctors leaving their posts. The government’s program aims to legally protect nurses within medical institutions, with hospitals determining the scope of their work. Despite the government’s call for dialogue, striking doctors and the government have not yet met. The government has also proposed increasing medical student admissions by 2,000 annually, expanding legal protection against malpractice suits, and offering incentives for doctors in essential disciplines and underserved regions. Additionally, efforts are underway to legislate unprecedented legal protection for doctors to enhance patient compensation for injuries and allow doctors to concentrate on their work.