Hospital Shuts Down Emergency Ward
The nursing shortage has forced the Tartu University Hospital to close one emergency ward.
"As of September 1, the area for monitoring 'green category' patients is temporarily closed and there may be situations where the patients have to spend more time in the waiting area," said senior physician Margus Ulst in Eesti Päevaleht.
Green is the least serious of four color codes determined in triage.
The emergency room at the hospital was designed to operate with 10 doctors, but Ulst said 8.35 spots are filled. The entire ER should have 42.5 people, but it currently has the equivalent of 36.
The Social Affairs Ministry's health care department head, Helis Paluste, said it was an internal hospital matter.
"Personnel policy, like assignments within the hospital, are up to every individual hospital," she said.
Nurses in Estonia make a minimum of less than 4 euros an hour - 612 euros a month. Some have left the profession while others are now working abroad.
Kristopher Rikken