Addressing the staffing and operational problems in intensive care units (ICUs) and other specialties in Greek hospitals, Mr. Themistokleous noted that ICU beds have nearly doubled since Covid-19, and occupancy rates in surrounding hospitals are low (50–60%), indicating available beds.
“Intensive care units across the country have increased. At the Xanthi hospital the problem is local. The positions in other hospitals where we have posted vacancies have been filled by doctors. In Xanthi specifically, doctors simply chose not to go.”
“ICU beds have increased — there is no disputing that. Beds were added in all neighboring areas, doctors were added in all neighboring areas. Beds across the country have nearly doubled compared to Covid. Every healthcare system has areas where not all problems have been solved. Xanthi is one of those problems.”
Using the case of Sifnos, where there is a shortage of pediatricians, as an example, the Deputy Minister spoke of incentives such as the ability for doctors to transfer after three years of service in peripheral areas, but acknowledged problems such as voluntary resignations and sick leave.
“There was a pediatrician. They made use of something we offer as a favorable incentive to help cover these areas — if someone serves in a peripheral region for three years, they can move to another position. It’s an incentive we give doctors to fill those posts. The pediatrician position will be re-advertised.”
“The big picture is that we have more staff than ever before. We have filled more vacancies in the regions than ever before. There is no healthcare system where problems don’t arise. We have a doctor who used a provision and left. We have a doctor who is on sick leave.”
He also stressed that incentives have been offered for remote areas, covering two-thirds of the hardest-to-fill positions, and that the healthcare system now has the ability to hire doctors on a flexible “freelance” basis within 20 days, once a willing doctor is found.
“Right now we have changed all the laws and have a more flexible system for hiring. We have the ability to bring in a doctor through the so-called ‘freelance’ arrangement — it’s not an auxiliary post or a permanent one, it can be done within 20 days under whatever terms and conditions the doctor wants. It’s not bureaucratic, and the incentives we’ve provided have significantly reduced the gaps. If a doctor is found, they can be in Sifnos within 20 days.”
Marios Themistokleous announced the upcoming posting of 850 permanent doctor positions in hospitals across Greece before Easter, covering all specialties.
