The application process is in its final stages applications for the announcement of 1,131 permanent positions doctors in the National Health System (ESY).
According to the Deputy Minister of Health Marios Themistokleous, “the large-scale call for doctors is being finalized today” and “so far, over 2,000 applications have been submitted.”
As Mr. Themistokleous clarified while speaking on the “ERTNEWS” television station, the call for applications covers 1,131 positions nationwide across all specialties, describing it as “one of the largest calls for applications in recent years.”
Regarding hiring timelines, he noted that “with the changes made to the legislation, the recruitment process from the date of the announcement until the majority of doctors begin working in hospitals takes between four and six months, while in urgent cases, a doctor may be assigned within two months.”
The Deputy Minister of Health also stated that “hiring is underway across all categories” and added: “This year we have 5,000 permanent hires, 3,000 additional support staff,” adding that “right now, we have more staff in the National Health System than ever before.”
He then noted that “the classification of nursing staff as performing heavy and unhealthy work is a long-standing demand of the sector.” Mr. Themistokleous also noted that “in Europe, there is a shortage of healthcare personnel amounting to 1 million,” emphasizing the need to provide incentives so that more young people choose nursing and the National Health System (ESY).
Regarding the reinforcement of EKAB and tourist areas, he stated that “auxiliary staff have been hired, and personnel have been transferred from Attica and Thessaloniki to areas with increased needs.” He added that “the number of shifts has increased significantly in Chalkidiki and on the islands, while EKAB ambulances have also been deployed to the Cyclades and other islands.” Mr. Themistokleous went on to add that two helicopters are expected from donations, which will bolster air ambulance services.
Regarding waiting times for surgeries, he noted that “waiting time for surgeries is one of the key indicators of a healthcare system. Currently, there is no surgery with a wait time of more than four months, though in some cases it may reach five months.”
New tool for wait times
A new digital service designed to facilitate citizens’ access to hospitals is set to be integrated into the MyHealth App. As announced by Deputy Minister of Health Marios Themistokleous, in the coming months, citizens will be able to get real-time updates on wait times at hospitals on call, so they can choose the one with the shortest wait.
“Citizens will be able to see, for example, the wait times at Evangelismos and Konstantopouleio and choose the hospital with the shortest wait.” The Deputy Minister of Health noted that the MyHealth App includes citizens’ test results, whether they were performed at a public or private facility, the ability for citizens to book appointments, and electronic prescription services. As he noted, “few European countries have such a comprehensive app where everything is available in one place.”
Patient evaluations of hospitals
Regarding the evaluation of health services by patients, Mr. Themistokleous stated: “Every hospitalized patient receives an SMS with a 30-question survey, which was developed in collaboration with the Patients’ Association. 75% rate their hospital stay as good or very good, while 9 out of 10 have found the doctor they needed for their condition.” The Deputy Minister of Health emphasized that the questionnaire is a management tool and that, when problems are identified, the administrator is obligated to correct them. As he noted: “If a problem is not corrected, the consequences could go as far as his removal.”
