Staffing crisis at San Leonardo Hospital in Castellammare di Stabia: nurses and OSS are missing, essential services at risk.
Staffing Crisis at San Leonardo Hospital: Services at Risk
The San Leonardo Hospital in Castellammare di Stabia, a pillar of local healthcare, is facing an unprecedented crisis with a lack of nursing staff and social-health workers (OSS). As the summer months approach, the Stabia emergency room, the only one serving the large area from the Sorrento Coast to the Lattari Mountains to the Vesuvian area, is in a critical situation.
Understaffing and Insufficient Budget: A Devastating Combination
The Fials union has raised the alarm through a letter addressed to ASL Napoli 3, underlining how the lack of an adequate budget for overtime contributes to further worsening the situation. “The only solution,” the letter reads, “is to penalize the few available staff who continue to carry out their duties, guaranteeing assistance and care to patients.” This complaint highlights a difficult reality, where the commitment of the remaining staff cannot fill the existing structural gaps.
Obstetrics and Gynecology in Danger
The crisis does not even spare the Obstetrics and Gynecology department, a flagship of San Leonardo, capable of offering a safe and natural birth path thanks to the commitment of the Head Doctor Eutalia Esposito and her team. This department, which stands out for the care of women in labor in a relaxing and familiar environment, is now at risk of not being able to guarantee a 24-hour service due to the lack of support staff. Despite high professionalism and commitment, staff do not receive adequate benefits, worsening discontent and concern.
Requests for Immediate Intervention
The Fials union has requested urgent intervention to provide new social-health workers and ensure proper staff rotation. Furthermore, the establishment of a working table is urged to seriously address the chronic problem of hospital staff shortages. Without timely action, there is a risk of seeing essential services for the community compromised.
Proposed Solutions to Address the Emergency
Below we present some proposed solutions to solve the current crisis:
- **Increase Overtime Budget:** Allocate additional funds to cover overtime hours for existing staff, avoiding overloading and improving working conditions.
- **Temporary Hiring:** Introduce temporary nursing and OSS staff to manage the increase in requests during the summer months.
- **Incentives and Allowances:** Provide additional allowances to recognize staff overtime and incentivize continuity of service.
- **Permanent Working Table:** Create a stable working group that meets periodically to monitor and resolve issues related to staff shortages.
Conclusion
The staffing emergency at San Leonardo Hospital in Castellammare di Stabia represents a crucial challenge for the local healthcare system. The lack of nurses and OSS not only puts the functioning of the emergency room at risk, but also compromises vital departments such as Obstetrics and Gynecology. It is imperative that the health authorities intervene promptly to guarantee the continuity and quality of care, responding effectively to the requests of the staff and the union. Only through concerted and immediate action will it be possible to overcome this crisis and ensure an adequate healthcare service for the community.
