Private hospitals in Cyprus are closing inpatient beds because a nurse shortage is preventing them from operating within staffing requirements set by law. The problem has affected facilities in Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca, with the risk of further disruption if staffing levels remain inadequate.
George Pantelides, president of the Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB), which represents private hospitals, told Phileleftheros that the situation varies between hospitals depending on staffing levels at different times.
In one case, a hospital was forced to leave an entire department out of operation, while other facilities have each closed a double-digit number of beds.
Hospitals warn of possible surgery delays
Private hospitals are currently trying to avoid postponing surgical procedures or reducing and delaying patient admissions, Pantelides said.
He warned that patients would be affected if hospitals were forced to take those measures.
The shortage has been affecting the private sector for a third consecutive year, despite the Health Ministry submitting proposed legislative amendments to Parliament several months ago.
The House Health Committee is expected to resume substantive discussion of the proposals on Thursday. However, Pantelides expressed concern that provisions included to secure agreement from trade unions could make it harder to address the staffing problem.
Dispute over Greek language requirements
One of the main points of disagreement concerns the proposed requirement for nurses to demonstrate Greek language proficiency at B2 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Pantelides argued that reaching this level could require almost two years of language lessons, delaying efforts to recruit the staff hospitals need.
He said private hospitals consider Greek language skills desirable but warned that setting the requirement at a high level could undermine the effectiveness of the proposed changes.
Another contentious provision would limit nurses and midwives from third countries to 10% of each hospital’s total nursing and midwifery workforce.
Pantelides argued that the limit was too low to have a significant impact on communication with patients. He also compared the proposed cap with arrangements in other sectors of the economy.
According to the figures he cited, the Health Ministry’s study estimates a need for around 600 additional nurses. A further 100 or so may be required for legislation covering palliative care and community nursing that has yet to be implemented, bringing the estimated total to 700–750.
What the proposed legislation would change
Two amendment bills pending before the House Health Committee include four main provisions:
- A requirement for at least moderate knowledge of Greek under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
- A maximum 10% share of nurses and midwives from third countries in each hospital’s total workforce.
- A restriction preventing these professionals from serving as shift supervisors.
- Two-year professional licences for third-country nationals, with graduates of Cypriot universities exempt from submitting a specific certificate during registration.
The proposals aim to regulate the employment of nurses and midwives from third countries while setting language and professional requirements.
Parliament’s role in the next steps
The future of the amendments will depend largely on the positions taken by political parties.
In April, shortly before the parliamentary elections, the House Health Committee decided not to proceed with the discussion, citing the election period and strong opposition from trade unions.
In the months since then, both trade unions and private-sector representatives have held contacts with parliamentary parties and other health-sector stakeholders.
Thursday’s discussion is expected to clarify whether the proposed changes can move forward and how lawmakers intend to address the staffing difficulties facing private hospitals.
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