On Thursday, 24 March 2022, the Cyprus Association for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease (CYCCA) and the Cyprus Federation of Patient Associations (CyFPA) held a meeting at Limassol General Hospital with the Executive Director of the Limassol–Paphos Directorate, Mr Christos Nicolaou. Representing CYCCA were Mr Yiannis Antoniadis (Vice President) and Ms Athina Spanou (Administrative Officer). Representing CyFPA were Mr Marios Kouloumas (President) and Ms Michaela Markou (Programmes Officer). Representing Limassol General Hospital were Ms Georgia Evagorou (Head Nursing Officer), Ms Louiza Athini (Administrative Officer), and Ms Maria Vryonides (Civil Engineer).
This meeting was requested to discuss and address the various issues faced by patients with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis at Limassol General Hospital. This was not the first meeting between CYCCA and Mr Nicolaou, as a previous meeting had taken place on 14 October 2020. Since then, communication with Mr Nicolaou has remained ongoing in an effort to find solutions to the challenges experienced by our patients.
Issues identified regarding the treatment of gastroenterology patients at Limassol General Hospital:
It was reported that since 1 January 2022, infusion treatments have been carried out regularly in the Thalassaemia Unit, as was previously the case. Nursing staff have received the appropriate training, and a second gastroenterology physician was expected to begin work in early April, with plans also in place to recruit a third specialist.
CYCCA noted that it had recently received reports from patients indicating that infusions were not always administered in the Thalassaemia Unit but instead in a very small treatment area. Mr Christos Nicolaou stated that he would investigate these claims and emphasised that such issues arise from a lack of space rather than a lack of funding.
Once the dialysis unit is relocated, as anticipated, a dedicated day-care facility for biological therapy infusions will be established in the vacated space.
Both CyFPA and CYCCA highlighted delays in allocating beds for patients receiving treatment. It was suggested that nursing staff should coordinate treatment schedules for thalassaemia, gastroenterology, and rheumatology patients, rather than placing this responsibility solely on physicians.
Delays were also reported in the preparation and supply of medications required for treatment. It was recommended that medication be prepared in advance and available when patients arrive for their appointments, with telephone ordering procedures established where appropriate.
Frequent medication shortages at the Limassol General Hospital pharmacy continue to cause inconvenience for patients. It was requested that closer monitoring be implemented to ensure timely replenishment of medicines by the Pharmaceutical Services.
Ms Georgia Evagorou, Head Nursing Officer, stated that there are no staffing shortages among nurses and no concerns regarding staff conduct. She encouraged CYCCA and CyFPA to communicate any complaints directly to hospital management so that they can be addressed and resolved promptly.
