Serious concerns over patient overcrowding, infrastructure deficiencies and declining standards of care at Athalassa Hospital have been raised by the Cyprus Federation of Mental Health Organisations (Pafopsy), which is calling on the Ministry of Health, the State Health Services Organisation (OKYPY) and relevant authorities to take immediate action.
Overcapacity in acute wards
According to Pafopsy, following the declaration of older hospital wards as unsuitable or unsafe and the relocation of patients, overcrowding conditions have emerged.
The organisation said that the two acute care wards now host between 35 and 40 patients instead of the intended 22, while more than 30 patients are being accommodated in the THEMEEA building, despite its capacity of 20 beds.
Inadequate facilities and living conditions
Pafopsy reports that the situation has led to insufficient communal and therapeutic spaces, with mattresses placed on the floor and double rooms converted into triple or quadruple occupancy.
It also highlights a lack of adequate dining and recreational areas for patients, raising further concerns over living conditions within the facility.
Impact on quality of care
The organisation warns that overcrowding is affecting the quality of therapeutic care, making it difficult for medical staff to provide individualised monitoring and support.
It also notes the absence of structured therapeutic and psychosocial programmes, stating that treatment is largely limited to medication-based care.
Pafopsy further claims that long-term patients have been discharged due to a lack of space and are now placed in elderly care homes, where staff are not specialised in mental health care.
Call for urgent reforms
The federation is calling for enforcement of capacity limits, immediate decongestion of wards, staffing reinforcement, development of therapeutic programmes and improved living and working conditions.
It also urges the launch of the second phase of Athalassa Hospital’s development, describing it as essential for long-term reform of Cyprus’ mental health system.
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