Cagliari University Hospital is facing a staff shortage: staffing levels in both facilities are increasingly low, and the departments are constantly working overtime. This is according to the nursing professions' union, Nursind .
"Today," explains the association's administrative secretary, Vitalia Secci , "with the arrival of summer, the situation at the Policlinico has plummeted beyond warning levels, dragging entire operational units toward a structural collapse that puts both staff and citizens at risk. While the demand for healthcare grows and emergency rooms are constantly overrun with patients seeking beds, the AOU's staff is being stretched to the bone."
Nursind analyzes the situation department by department. It highlights difficulties in General Surgery, Cardiology, and Neonatal Pathology : "Ensuring the minimum levels of care required by law under these conditions has become a daily miracle, relying on the sacrifice of individuals."
"During the time of year when all workers deserve to be more relaxed and enjoy a well-deserved rest and recuperate," Secci attacks, "absolute chaos reigns in our hospitals. It's absurd. Those on shift are burdened with responsibilities and workloads far beyond normal , skipping breaks and working below the minimum safety quotas."
The union says it's ready to protest: "If the company and politicians don't respond immediately with effective hiring and a reorganization of operations, mobilization will be inevitable to protect the health of workers and citizens."
(Unioneonline)