With the shortage of nurses continuing to strain the healthcare system – particularly in the private sector – and with the executive branch’s attempts to find a solution repeatedly running into opposition from nurses’ unions and their influence in Parliament during an election period, a key meeting is taking place today, Tuesday, at the Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEV), where the option of taking measures will be discussed.
The meeting, held this afternoon at OEV’s headquarters, brings together representatives of the Cyprus Association of Private Hospitals (PASIN) and the Association of Rehabilitation and Recovery Centres. The aim is to determine a common strategy in response to recent developments. The possibility of measures is on the table – an option that private hospitals have signalled for some time, warning that without immediate staffing solutions, their operations will come under severe pressure.
Today’s meeting does not occur in a vacuum. It follows Parliament’s decision not to advance amendments that would allow the employment of nurses from third countries – a development that leaves private hospitals without an immediate way out of what they describe as a critical shortage in human resources.
Alternative solution collapses
Following the freezing of the amendments, Politis understands that efforts were made in recent days to find an alternative way to ease staffing pressures.
Specifically, discussions took place on submitting a private members’ bill – rather than a government bill – with the agreement of the Ministry of Health, to amend the Private Hospitals Law. The proposal aimed to modify nurse‑to‑bed ratios to provide a practical solution to the staffing challenges hospitals face.
The choice of a private members’ bill was deliberate, as it could proceed under the urgent procedure, bypassing lengthy consultation processes required before a government bill can reach Parliament. The aim was to secure a swift vote and immediate application.
Initially, this approach appeared to receive positive political signals, even at the level of party leaders. However, according to the same information, the picture changed during the meeting of party leaders last Thursday, ahead of the parliamentary plenary. It was there that the final decision was taken not to move forward with the proposal, despite early indications of consensus.
A decisive factor appears to have been concern that any change to nurse‑to‑bed ratios would provoke strong reactions from the nurses’ unions. These unions have already emphasised that existing ratios are directly linked to patient safety and the quality of care, warning that any relaxation of standards would undermine service levels and worsen working conditions.
The political cost of such a decision appears to have been prohibitive, with parties ultimately choosing not to open a new front of confrontation with the unions – leaving, however, the staffing problem raised by private hospitals unresolved.