ERTnews’ “Ten with Tuna” show featured Marios Themistocleous, emphasizing the new recruitments in EESY, the interventions to strengthen public structures, but also the moves made to address staff vacancies.

At the same time, he referred to the issue of the Greek passenger on the cruise ship where there was an alert for hantavirus, clarifying that the Greek authorities are in open communication with the Dutch authorities.

Marios Themistokleous: 1113 new positions in the NHS

The Deputy Minister revealed that one of the biggest announcements of recent years is currently “running”, as 1,113 permanent positions have been opened in hospitals, health centres and primary health care units. He said applications have already started and will remain open for two weeks, expressing optimism that most of the positions will be filled.

He made particular reference to the interest now being shown in positions in the public health system. As he noted, in previous calls for applications, almost all of the positions in Attica were filled, while the percentages were also higher in the region. According to him, the climate in the public health system is beginning to change.

Marios Themistocleous also stood by the increases in doctors’ salaries and the possibility of private work, noting that working conditions have improved compared to previous years. He said that on-call duties have been reduced and there is more interest in so-called “difficult” positions that in the past were left without candidates.

The 47 small islands programme

A separate chapter was the staffing of the small islands. The deputy minister announced a special programme for 47 islands with a population of less than 4,000. As he explained, through the Hadjiyannou Foundation, additional financial support of 1,500 euros tax-free will be given to 81 doctors who will serve in these areas.

Marios Themistocleous: Nurses among Europe’s biggest problems

Referring to nurses, he admitted that the problem is acute across Europe. He explained that it was not only about pay but also about demanding working conditions, and announced new measures and incentives to strengthen the sector. At the same time, he announced that the platform for auxiliary staff in Attica has been reopened and an extension to the rest of the country is expected.

In the field of Emergencies, the deputy minister claimed that waiting times have been reduced significantly. He said that from about 9 hours recorded a year and a half ago, the waiting time has now dropped to 4.5 hours. He attributed the improvement to the recruitment of staff, renovations and the new organisation of the premises, as well as the use of the electronic “bracelet” to monitor patients.

Regarding appointments in the public health system, he noted that the picture in Attica is improving. He argued that in many specialties, the wait of several months has been reduced from several months to about a week to ten days, as doctors have increased the number of appointments available in the system.

The deputy minister also referred to the digital health file, stressing that citizens can now view examinations, manage appointments and carry out electronically many procedures that previously required physical presence.

Asked about the incident with the hantavirus on the cruise ship, Marios Themistocleous appeared reassuring. He stressed that this virus is difficult to transmit from person to person and underlined that there is no reason for public health concern. At the same time, he confirmed that the EODY and the ECAB are working closely with the Dutch authorities for the safe repatriation of the Greek passenger.

He concluded by saying that the EESY now has more staff than in any other period, and spoke of upgrades to infrastructure, equipment and digital services. He said there is a specific plan for the coming years, with the aim of gradually improving the public health system.

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