Greek mental health and hospital staffing shortages

Mental health facilities in Greece are experiencing significant staffing shortages that impact patient care and safety.

In Patras, the Northern Sector Health Center reported difficulties maintaining treatment schedules for psychiatric patients. Due to a shortage of psychiatrists, a patient was unable to receive a critical, scheduled injection. The facility, which serves over one-third of the Patras population, was operating with only three psychiatrists, one of whom was on maternity leave.

At Attikon University General Hospital, the Employees' Association issued an alert regarding critical nursing shortages in the Psychiatric Clinic. The clinic reportedly has only nine nurses for approximately 24 patients, including 10 to 12 individuals under involuntary hospitalization. Staff raised concerns that some afternoon shifts are covered by only a single nurse and one ward assistant, and noted that several nurses assigned to the unit are currently working in other hospital departments.

Recent data from the Attikon Hospital Employees' Association indicates that these staffing issues are part of a broader crisis involving severe overcrowding. Between September 3 and October 13, the hospital recorded 7,700 visits and 2,000 admissions. The association reported that 1,300 patients were treated on stretchers in hallways during the first 40 days of autumn, with 100 to 140 stretchers remaining in use after each general shift. Medical staff are reportedly working under extreme pressure, with instances where only two or three nurses are responsible for 50 patients. To address the crisis, the association is demanding the immediate hiring of 130 permanent nurses and the reopening of specific clinics, including Clinic 07 and the Urology Clinic.