On Monday, all four pulmonologists at Venizelio Hospital in Heraklion tendered their resignations, citing the impossibility of safely running the Pulmonology Clinic with such a limited team. In a strongly worded statement, hospital staff painted a stark picture of a healthcare system in crisis: three operating theatres shut, waiting lists spiralling out of control, and a cardiology unit out of action for over a year due to staff shortages. The anaesthesia department is down to a single doctor, while cleaning and catering have been outsourced to private contractors – at higher cost and with poorer service. “We will not stand by and watch Venizelio collapse,” they warn. “We won’t accept more tragedies like Tempe. This hospital is the lifeblood of our community – its proper functioning is vital for the people of Crete and Southern Greece.”

“The Pulmonology Clinic is of critical importance: It is on call every other day, covering the entire 7th Regional Health Authority and the islands. It handles critical cases and operates specialised clinics for sleep disorders, rare diseases, and tuberculosis. Pre-surgical assessments are impossible without it,” the hospital staff stated, also announcing the resignation of the four pulmonologists.

They also provided a detailed account of the conditions leading to the collapse of the hospital:

“Critical conditions in hospital departments:

  • Imaging Department (CT and MRI scans): Operating at minimal capacity. On-call services are covered by doctors from the University Hospital of Heraklion (PAGNI), with appointments limited due to a lack of staff.
  • Anaesthesia Department: Still supported by a single doctor from another public health structure, with additional private doctors hired on short-term contracts to assist with morning surgeries.
  • Radiology Department: A severe shortage of radiology technicians, with 3-4 expected departures in 2025. There is an inability to meet the massive demand for services, including diagnostic imaging in the Emergency Department, X-rays in various departments (such as Neonatal Intensive Care and Intensive Care Units), and surgical procedures.
  • Surgical Theatres: Three operating theatres are closed, and waiting lists are spiralling out of control.
  • Intensive Care Unit: Three ICU beds are closed due to a lack of medical and nursing staff, with six vacant positions for specialised doctors. The recruitment announcement for three ICU doctors does not include the position of a general physician, which could result in the vacancies remaining unfilled.
  • Cardiology Lab: Out of service for over 18 months due to a shortage of nursing staff.
  • Nursing Services: Immediate need for at least 60 additional staff members. Over 20,000 days of unpaid leave and time off.
  • Cleaning and Catering Services: Instead of making the temporary cleaning staff permanent, a contractor has been brought in, resulting in higher costs and poorer service quality.
  • Doctor Relocations: Doctors from Rethymno Hospital are forced to travel by bus with only half the compensation for their work.
  • Superficial Quality Control: While the hospital is collapsing in all areas, it is being “inspected” by ODIPY (the Organisation for Health Quality Control) under the Ministry of Health, supposedly to improve the quality of services.”

“Venizelio Hospital is an integral part of our community. Its smooth operation is a matter of survival for the people of Crete and all of Southern Greece. The responsibility is personal. We call on the public, organisations, and every responsible authority to join us in demanding:

  • Immediate recruitment of additional staff

  • Permanent contracts for all temporary staff

  • Strengthening, not dismantling, the National Health System.”

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