Serious complaints over patient conditions
Serious concerns have been raised over Athalassa Psychiatric Hospital conditions, with reports that mental health patients are being forced to sleep on mattresses on the floor.
The Board of the Mental Health Nursing Staff Branch of PASYDY has highlighted what it describes as dangerous overcrowding and critical shortages at the Athalassa Psychiatric Hospital.
Overcrowding worsens despite expansion
In a statement, the union expressed strong concern over a situation it says has reached a “critical and dangerous point”.
Although bed capacity was increased from 20 to 30, conditions have deteriorated rather than improved.
Safety and dignity at risk
According to the statement, while infrastructure is modern, it cannot safely support the increased number of patients. The concentration of individuals in confined spaces significantly raises risks for both patients and staff.
The union stressed that patients sleeping on the floor undermines both the quality of care and human dignity.
Warnings ignored, no action plan
PASYDY said it had previously warned against exceeding capacity, cautioning that such decisions would lead to unmanageable situations.
“Unfortunately, our warnings were ignored,” the statement said, noting that overcrowding has dramatically increased risks for everyone involved.
It also claimed that no meaningful measures have been taken by State Health Services Organisation over the past two months to address the crisis.
Calls for immediate intervention
According to the union, repeated requests for action have gone unanswered, with no concrete plan presented and no meeting convened to manage the issue.
Plans to create a new 14-person facility were also criticised as insufficient, merely shifting the problem rather than resolving overcrowding.
Urgent demand for solutions
The union stressed that Athalassa hospital cannot continue operating under current conditions and called on OKYPY and relevant authorities to take immediate action.
Among the demands are the identification of new and suitable facilities, as well as an emergency meeting to present a clear and binding action plan to ease pressure on the hospital.
“The health and dignity of patients cannot wait. It is a matter of immediate responsibility and action,” the statement concluded.
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