Angry minister steps in to sort out hospital row

THE row between Nicosia hospital’s orthopaedic and radiography departments was yesterday put to rest, Health Minister Christos Patsallides said.

Nevertheless the minister expressed his displeasure that it was him who had to be called in to terminate the ongoing dispute.

The row, which saw surgical procedures cancelled this week, was between orthopaedic doctors and radiographers. The former said they could not operate on patients without the presence of radiographers to provide the necessary x-rays, while radiographers said their presence was unnecessary.

Speaking to reporters following a lengthy meeting at the hospital to resolve the matter, Patsallides said it had been decided that radiographers would only remain in theatre for very serious procedures.

The minister said it had been decided that of the eight people present during a simple surgical procedure, one was capable of pressing the necessary button once the x-ray machine had been set beforehand.

“I believe I should not have had to come here today and it is not right that the Minister has to take three hours to sort out such matters,” he said.

“No, I am not at all happy that I had to come here. I have much more serious matters to attend to and the entire Ministry is here.”

Patsallides called on both sides for their co-operation and said logic had to prevail and that above all they had to think of the patients.

In three months, the compromise would be reviewed, he added.

“No adjustment, of whatever issue, will be successful if there is no co-operation.”

Leaving the hospital, Patsallides added: “Everything is fine. We’re finished. We’re moving on until the next button.”