Professional Association of Nursing Women and Nursing Specialists comments
“We don’t have enough time for our patients”
A year after the adoption of the care initiative, there is still a shortage of staff in the Swiss healthcare system. Yvonne Ribi (46), Managing Director of the Swiss Professional Association of Nursing Women and Nursing Specialists SBK, comments.
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Yvonne Ribi, Managing Director Swiss Professional Association of Nursing Women and Nursing Specialists.
Michael Sahlireporter news
Pandemic and shortage of staff: The crisis has now become part of everyday life in Swiss hospitals. Currently, the focus is primarily on the emergency departments and in nursing. The reasons for this are diverse.
In many emergency rooms, the number of patients has doubled within a decade, according to the “Tages-Anzeiger”. This is because the population is getting older. And because family doctor practices are becoming increasingly scarce. The pandemic has put additional strain on the already busy system.
Care initiative could not slow down “Pflexit”.
What also contributes to the state of emergency: the lack of staff. Almost exactly a year ago, the care initiative was accepted with over 60 percent yes votes. The promise: Better working conditions for nursing staff.
Yvonne Ribi (46), Managing Director of the Swiss Professional Association of Nursing Women and Nursing Specialists SBK, says to Blick: The shortage of nursing staff has only worsened since then – and the effects are also becoming increasingly noticeable for the sick and injured: “We don’t have enough time for our patients and their relatives.»
Disappointed patient Disch: The conditions in the hospital were so bad(01:43)
“We need comprehensive solutions”
They fear that the high energy prices and inflation could increase the pressure on care because the hospitals have higher fixed costs. And they cannot easily pass this on to patients or health insurance companies and cantons.
The nursing staff must be relieved with immediate measures to make the profession more attractive: “Individual institutions have already taken measures such as fewer working hours or higher wages. But we need nationwide solutions.”