Today, 7 May 2015, the Cyprus nurses decided to undertake an industrial action to denounce their working conditions and the Government non-respect of basic agreements made.
Cyprus nurses are struggling to survive with working conditions which are unacceptable in 2015 and that are seriously compromising the safety and quality of the healthcare they are delivering to EU citizens.
Cyprus colleagues reported that the Ministry of Health is ignoring the proposals of the Cyprus Nurses and Midwives Association in Cyprus (CYNMA) and the Nursing Unions (PASYDY and PASYNO) concerning the proposed legislation for the NHS and the reorganisation of the Public Hospitals. Furthermore, Cyprus nurses report that the Government is not respecting basic agreements on various issues relevant to nursing posts, the future of young nurses employed as temporary staff, and proceeds to salaries cuts.
In Public hospitals, nurses cannot tolerate anymore this increasing shortage in staff, bringing more and more workload for the ones in post, with the excuse of economic cuts in the health sector. This threatens the quality of healthcare services and puts the patients at risk!
Therefore, the EFN CALLS ON the Cyprus Ministry of Health and Government to take immediate action to:
- Make sure that the health facilities have the necessary nursing workforce to provide safe and quality healthcare services;
- Value nurses’ salaries taking into account the extra hours worked; and,
- Design career development, with promotion of advanced roles and more opportunities in community care.
The EFN URGES also the EU institutions (European Commission, European Parliament and Council) to support the role and working conditions of nurses in the healthcare system by deploying the social cohesion funds to the local needs of the healthcare system; to make planning and forecasting a useful professional exercise, instead of a theoretical one, and making sure Member States comply with the European Directives (qualifications and employment), even in times of austerity.
Most policy-makers and politicians say “nurses are very important” but there is an urgent need to put these nice words into practice!