With mode change clinic vigilance and parts hospitals trying to hide it Ministry of Health it’s a shortage problem YOU. Circular issued by the Deputy Minister of Health Mina Gaga last Friday introduces the “sectoral duty” mode, i.e. the opportunity to participate in the duty of the polyclinic of all doctors sectors. In practice, this means that, for example. any doctor specializing in pathology can be on duty at the cardiological dispensary, incl. orthopedic clinic any doctor specializing in surgery. The change provoked a strong reaction from the hospital’s physician representatives, who are demanding that the circular be withdrawn immediately, arguing that its implementation could put patients in danger.

The circular notes that medical personnel in public hospitals “should determine, perform or supervise the performance of all legal and scientifically documented actions necessary to treat the patient in the best and safest way, under the coordination of a scientifically responsible medical officer.” departments, sector and director of the medical service. And it is emphasized, “for this reason, in the event of a proven impossibility to appear at the department / polyclinic of the hospital with their staff (due to illness, dismissal, etc.) and in order to ensure the proper operation of the hospital and the health of patients, all doctors of the corresponding specialty (specialized and qualified), provided that there is a qualified doctor of the corresponding specialty in the duty department on duty. When issuing the circular, the decision of the Executive Committee of the Central Council of Health (dated December 29, 2022) was taken into account. According to the Ministry of Health, “the proposal of the Central Board of Health follows the standards of other European countries and clearly does not apply to large tertiary hospitals with a large number of specialists in all specialties. In addition, this does not in any way affect the care of emergency cases, for which there is always and everywhere medical power.

NHS doctors are asking for the circular to be withdrawn, emphasizing that the new regime puts patients at risk.

Explanations were preceded by the reaction of representatives of doctors. The Greek Federation of Associations of Hospital Physicians (OENGE) speaks of the Ministry’s recognition of the tragic shortage of medical personnel. “Field duty officer” (i.e. a doctor in a specialty of a pathoanatomical profile, such as a pathologist, on duty for patients of all specialties of a profile, for example, cardiology, pulmonology, etc. / and, accordingly, a doctor in the surgical department). such as a general surgeon for orthopedic patients, ENT, gynecological, etc.) exposes the health of patients to incalculable risks and sets medicine back a century,” the report says. In addition, according to the federation, this regime will immediately lead to a new storm of layoffs of doctors.

The Medical Association of the Hospitals of Athens Piraeus (EINAP) in a statement characterizes the circular as extremely dangerous and humiliating for NHS patients and doctors and claims that the ministry’s decision has the sole purpose of covering up a shortage of medical staff. NHS physician representatives are demanding the immediate withdrawal of the circular and are calling on their fellow presidents and members of hospital science boards to “withdraw prior approval of field vigil programs” as they claim it constitutes their involvement in the exposure of at-risk patients. They declare their intention to sue the circular.