Greece is moving ahead with plans to strengthen healthcare services through new specialized facilities and additional staff recruitment, Deputy Health Minister Marios Themistocleous said.
Speaking on Greek television program Koinonia Ora Mega, Themistocleous outlined upcoming measures focused on palliative care, autism support, dementia services and the wider staffing needs of the country’s healthcare system.
New palliative care network planned
The deputy minister highlighted a new program for palliative care, which focuses on improving quality of life for patients with serious conditions, including cancer, neurological diseases and end-stage heart failure.
The service aims to address symptoms and pain while also providing psychological, social and spiritual support for patients and their families.
According to Themistocleous, Greece has lagged behind in this area, but a strategic plan is now being developed to create palliative care units across the country. These services will operate through specialized centers, hospitals and home-based care.
He also referred to the “Galilee” unit as an example and said the national target includes around 500 beds for palliative care. Plans include dedicated capacity at the new Oncology Hospital in Thessaloniki, with 40 beds, as well as four beds at the Children’s Hospital.
The first palliative care units are expected to begin operating within 11 months and will be supported by new healthcare staff.
“There will be recruitments,” Themistocleous said, explaining that some doctors will specialize exclusively in palliative care, while other hospital doctors will receive relevant training. Nursing staff and other healthcare professionals will be hired separately as additional personnel.
Autism and dementia day centers
Alongside palliative care services, Greece is preparing to establish 21 autism units and 19 dementia units nationwide.
The facilities will operate as day centers with extended hours, offering comprehensive support and links to other healthcare services.
The plans are also part of a broader psychiatric reform, which includes the creation of new mental health units and the expansion of mobile healthcare teams expected to begin operating from October.
Major healthcare recruitment drive
Regarding hospital staffing, Themistocleous said a major recruitment process for 1,131 positions is underway, describing it as one of the largest healthcare hiring announcements in recent years.
He added that there is strong interest in the positions and that efforts are being made to strengthen medical staffing on Greece’s islands.
“Islands will be staffed with doctors,” he said, as the government moves to address healthcare workforce needs across the country.
