A new wave of reactions is emerging over the shortage of nurses, with unions this time opposing proposed changes to minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. The issue returns at a time when the Ministry of Health is pushing measures to ease pressure, acknowledging that hundreds of nurses are currently missing from the clinical sector.
Trade unions SEK, PEO, PASYDY and PASYNO, representing nurses and midwives in both private and public hospitals and health centres, have expressed strong opposition to amendments to the Private Hospitals Law, through which changes to minimum nurse-to-patient ratios are being proposed.
According to the unions, reducing minimum staffing ratios does not constitute modernisation but regression. They argue that such a move would lead to delays in responding to patient needs, reduce the quality of care and further increase the already high levels of professional burnout among nurses.
The organisations warn that weakening nursing staffing levels could directly affect patient safety, even reaching the point where human lives are put at risk. They are therefore calling on the Ministry of Health to withdraw the proposal immediately and prioritise the protection of public health.
A two-front dispute
The unions’ latest intervention comes on top of earlier opposition to a bill aimed at facilitating the employment of nurses from third countries, which had been presented as one of the measures to address the shortage. Discussion of that bill was put on hold following strong reactions from trade unions.
As a result, both key measures promoted by the Ministry of Health, namely the recruitment of nurses from third countries and the adjustment of staffing ratios in private hospitals, are facing union resistance. The Ministry of Health argues that these interventions are necessary, as the shortage has reached levels that are affecting the operation of healthcare facilities.
Estimates indicate that around 600 nurses are missing from the clinical sector. The problem affects the entire healthcare system, not only the public or private sector, especially after the introduction of the General Healthcare System, which has increased demand for services.
Pressure from the private sector
Private hospitals and health centres have for months been pressing the Ministry of Health to take action, warning that they are struggling to secure the required nursing staff. In previous statements, they even referred to the risk of reducing services or suspending the operation of departments if staffing issues are not addressed.
In this context, the proposed changes to staffing ratios are presented by the ministry as a temporary measure that could help ease pressure on healthcare facilities, while broader solutions remain under discussion. These include attracting new entrants to the profession and revising the framework for hiring nurses from third countries.
