Health workers at the University Hospital of the Canary Islands (HUC), located in Tenerife, have raised concerns to EFE about the frequent lack of basic medical supplies at the facility. They also note the deteriorated state of the “outdated” infrastructure, inadequate security measures, and job insecurity.
Two nurses and an assistant working at the hospital, namely Andrea, Clara, and Pedro, have highlighted that they often face shortages of needles, syringes, antiseptics, which hampers their ability to provide timely care, further burdening the hospital’s already strained healthcare system.
Clara Aledo, a 25-year-old nurse in the Emergency Unit, explains, “We sometimes have to use subcutaneous needles to dispense medication when there are no appropriate supplies, affecting the quality of care we provide. We manage to get the job done, but it’s not ideal.”
Outdated and Patchy Infrastructure
Additionally, they point out that the hospital has not modernized or expanded its infrastructure to meet the current demand, especially after incorporating Isla Baja into its services. As a result, an ICU waiting room with 7 stretchers has been improvised to accommodate the influx of emergency cases.
While improvements have been made in the Consultation area, they lament that the infrastructure remains outdated and describe it as “patchy,” with makeshift solutions like covering sinkholes rather than permanent fixes.
Andrea Garcón, a nurse new to the Emergency Unit, voices concern about the unmet demand for quality care due to the lack of resources, leading to physical and verbal assaults from frustrated patients seeking treatment.
Pedro (aged 48), a nursing assistant, expresses the uncertainty of working at the hospital daily, as he never knows what challenges he might encounter. He advocates for security personnel at the entrance, a measure already implemented at La Candelaria Hospital.
They reveal that the Emergency Unit of the University Hospital of the Canary Islands comprises around 10 observation units for patient care. Clara Aledo notes that two units are often occupied by elderly patients waiting for transfer to care facilities.
This additional care burden results in overcrowded hallways, affecting the flow of patients through the emergency room and observation beds, exacerbating the existing challenges within the healthcare system.
Pedro also highlights that referrals from other health centers further strain the hospital’s resources, as they often admit patients who have already received treatment, causing delays in the discharge process and occupying valuable resources.
Uncertain Job Stability
Challenges Faced by Healthcare Professionals in Hospitals
The healthcare assistant points out that the hospital’s rotational staff “is inadequate”. When there is a shortage of staff in the Emergency Department, employees from other areas of the hospital are transferred to cover the gaps, leaving those areas understaffed. For instance, an assistant and a nurse end up being responsible for an entire floor.
According to his complaints, he is often told to “do what you can,” but for him, this translates to patients being neglected.
Apart from structural issues and the high pressure of healthcare demands, contracts for nurses, especially those starting their careers, are very short. These contracts are mainly used for sick leave cover, which ultimately affects patient care.
Andrea Gascón admits, “We spend so little time in a unit that we don’t get to learn its dynamics. There’s a constant feeling of instability and discomfort.”
In her case, the end of a month and a half contract brings uncertainty, not knowing when the next call will come, what will be offered, and the quality of the contract: “It could be for a day or for six months.”
Clara Aledo shares a similar experience, stating that calls for work could be inconsistent and not based on experience. Declining a contract offer could result in being removed from the list.
“When my contract ends and I face unemployment, I am constantly under stress and alert. The uncertainty of waiting for a call, and the fear of being penalised for refusing a unit, is overwhelming,” she explains.
Pedro’s journey as an assistant highlights the struggle younger healthcare professionals face – “I have more than 50 contracts signed, spanning different days. For the first 6 years, I covered for sick colleagues until I reached a stable position at the 13th contract.”
