Greek Health Ministry moves to hire private‑college nurses and launch digital hospital monitoring

The Greek Ministry of Health announced two reforms aimed at strengthening the National Health System (ESY). Minister Adonis Georgiadis said a new legislative measure will permit graduates of private nursing colleges – especially those linked to British universities – to compete for public sector nursing jobs through ASEP, expanding the recruitment pool by about 30 nurses a year. The proposal seeks to ease the chronic shortage of staff in public hospitals while maintaining professional standards.

In parallel, the ministry is rolling out a digital monitoring platform in major Athens hospitals. The system will provide real‑time data on emergency department waiting times, surgical procedures, operating‑room schedules and staff availability, including leave and overtime. A pilot has already been tested, and the minister has pledged that the entire national health system will be digitised before the end of his term.