Strike in Healthcare: in Buzău, patients not seen at the Outpatient Clinic have turned to the Emergency Reception Unit

The general strike launched across the healthcare system has produced an unforeseen effect at the Buzău County Emergency Hospital (SJU): some patients who could not be seen at the Outpatient Clinic made their way to the Emergency Reception Unit (UPU), thereby adding to its workload.

On Tuesday, dozens of hospital employees, members of the Sanitas Federation, began an open-ended strike. Their grievances concern pay levels, working conditions, and staff shortages, according to Agerpres.

The leader of Sanitas Buzău, Grațiela Constantin, explained what happened in practice: "Patients came despite the fact that we had announced we were on strike and, because they were not seen, a boomerang effect occurred — they migrated from the outpatient section to the emergency service, the UPU."

Staff shortages and unused leave days

One of the employees' main grievances is the freeze on new recruitment. According to the Sanitas Buzău leader, the actual staff shortage at SJU Buzău is greater than official figures suggest.

Employees point out that the lack of staff has led to a large accumulation of unused leave days and to the exhaustion of those who continue to work.

Diana Cotorceanu, a nurse in the Dialysis ward, stated that she has approximately 60 outstanding leave days and that, over the past four years, she has only managed to take time off in short periods of five days at a time: "One nurse is carrying the workload of three people who are absent. (...) We are utterly exhausted, very tired, and we need understanding and support from everyone."

The hospital maintains emergency services

The manager of SJU Buzău, Claudiu Damian, said he supports the staff's demands, but clarified that the hospital has taken measures to ensure emergency care continues: "All emergencies are being handled — fractures, the UPU is open, receiving patients; the staff are on strike but present at work, and one third are providing medical services."

According to the manager, services are being maintained through staff rotation, and there are no issues regarding patient care at the UPU, ITU, or Oncology departments.

Trade union members announced that the strike is open-ended and will continue until the Government responds to the employees' demands.