– I am afraid, and I have done so this duty period, says Egil Romslo Schistad. He is a specialist doctor at Ålesund Hospital, and is about to go on duty. Recently, the working days of him and many other hospital employees have been characterized by bursting capacity and infection season. – It is full. I have several patients to attend to on my shifts. It is difficult to find a place for them, because we do not have beds and rooms. The corridors are also full, he says. Employees at Ålesund Hospital are tired from a period of heavy workload. Photo: Øyvind Sandnes / news – It is despairing The shop stewards at the hospital share the concern. Several of them say that they notice wear and tear among the members. – I think there are many busy, a little stressed and tired people who don’t know how to get the day going, says trustee for the Norwegian Association of Superintendents in Ålesund Maud-Kristine Aga Ljoså. She says that several of her members have given notice that they are in despair over the situation. – You keep hoping that it will get better, but then it almost feels like it will only get worse. It is despairing. The fire service was on inspection at Ålesund hospital because patients are placed in the corridors. Photo: Øyvind Berge Sæbjørnsen / news Don’t believe in improvement Kjetil Bjørdal, who is the chief shop steward for the Norwegian Nurses’ Association, says that their members are tired of being under such a heavy burden for a long time, and he does not believe that there is any improvement in sight. – We see that the influx of patients has persisted for a very long time, which may indicate that it is not a temporary situation, he says. More challenges Clinic manager at the hospital Elisabeth Siebke fully understands that the employees are tired. – It has been an extremely demanding space Christmas and New Year’s weekend, I think both the patients and our staff have observed that. It has been busy, she says. She says that she knows that employees wish there were more positions and employees at the hospital, but that it is difficult. Clinic manager at the hospital Elisabeth Siebke fully understands that the employees are tired. Photo: Silje Thalberg / news – Now it is the case that we have challenges in getting enough people, and we have a budget that we have to deal with, she says. – What can be done? – I guess none of us can take away the epidemics we have, and our staffing situation is what it is, we do everything we can, she replies and continues: – We put in extra staffing when we see that it is worth it. Have to work more When extra staffing is brought in, they are taken by the staff already employed at the hospital. Doctor Schistad says that this only means that they have to work even more. He is unsure how long he can bear to stand in such a situation. – It is not livable, he says of the current work pressure. – Many are tired and there is a limit to how long you can stand in this, he concludes.
ttn-69
Employees at Ålesund hospital are tired from a period of heavy workload – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
