Lack of personnel in nursing has (fatal) consequences

On the international day of care on Friday, the trade unions Syna and Unia warn about the consequences for the population due to the lack of personnel. The federal government and the cantons would continue their austerity policies. The victims are not only the caregivers, but also the cared for.

If politicians do not implement the care initiative, safe care can no longer be provided. Due to the lack of staff, cuts are already being made on personal hygiene, patients who are anesthetized with medicines and deadly mistakes.

The nurses therefore draw attention to the misery on Friday with funeral marches. The Swiss Professional Association of Nurses (SBK) refers to a study showing that the quality of training has suffered during the Covid 19 pandemic. At the end of March, the vacancy radar showed that there were 14,803 vacancies for nurses, of which 6,884 were for qualified specialists.

Unia, Syna and SBK advocate five immediate measures against the shortage of nurses: substantial wage increases, higher allowances and time credits, as well as allowances for short-term schedule changes and five weeks’ holiday for 49-year-olds and one week more each from the age of 50 and 60. There are also subsidies for childcare outside the family.

The Association of Civil Servants (VPOD) called on nurses to take part in the Women’s Strike on June 14, because women would do most of the nursing work.

(jam/sda)