Abuses in care – Wanted: Immediate measures to maintain nursing staff – News


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Hospitals and homes are complaining about staff shortages, nursing professionals are overworked, and many are leaving the profession. But that doesn’t lead to higher wages. Instead, many employers are trying to slow down the exodus of nursing professionals with more attractive working time models.

Yvonne Ribi is not satisfied with the wage negotiations so far. The managing director of the Professional Association of Nursing Women and Specialists (SBK) explains: “We found in the negotiations that employers would like to accommodate us with wage rounds, but given the energy prices and inflation, they are hardly able to offer decent wage developments.”

Most caregivers need more recovery time to recover from the rigorous shifts.

The previous agreements ranged from almost two to a good three percent more wages, with inflation of three percent. But the wage alone is not decisive, emphasizes Ribi: The overall package has to be right – wages, working hours, working conditions in order to stop the exodus of nursing staff.

More relaxation instead of more wages

“What is urgently needed are immediate measures that invest in maintaining the staff. All measures that lead to more recovery time, that give more incentives to do shifts and that support the compatibility of work and family are welcome,” says Ribi.

Because nursing is indeed the most beautiful job of all – says the trained nursing specialist – but she knows from experience that “most nursing staff need more recovery time in order to be able to recover from these strict shifts. The shifts are physically and mentally demanding.”

There are examples of new working time models – such as the Wetzikon hospital, which has reduced working hours: those who work shifts have to work ten percent less for the same wages.

A government council cannot decide overnight to allocate more money to nursing staff.

The Lindenhof hospital group in Bern has increased its night premiums, and those who work regular shifts get an extra week of vacation. And the cantonal hospital in Winterthur is investing 17 million francs in a package of measures that, in addition to cost-of-living compensation, also provide for higher shift bonuses and more jobs to relieve the burden on staff.

“Every additional issue is a parliamentary process”

Annette Grünig from the Conference of Cantonal Health Directors (GDK) emphasizes: “Companies and cantons can and should take measures. There are also examples that they are already doing this.

But every government overspending goes through a parliamentary process and competes with other budget areas. A government council cannot decide overnight to speak more money for the nursing staff. »

In other words: Whether higher wages or better working conditions, both cost money and money is tight. But you can’t wait any longer, Yvonne Ribi from the professional association of nursing professionals is convinced. A rescue package is therefore needed, as for the energy industry.

Unfortunately, we do not see a widespread insight that this rescue package is needed now.

Because the healthcare system is also systemically important. But she says: “Unfortunately, we don’t see a widespread insight that this rescue package is now needed to maintain nursing care in Switzerland.”

The nursing initiative adopted by the people not only calls for a training offensive – this part has already been implemented by Parliament in Bern – but also for better wages and working conditions for nursing staff. Parliament still has to implement this part. And many cantons are still waiting for the outcome of these consultations.

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