Wards at Athalassa Psychiatric Hospital have been deemed unsuitable for use and require demolition, according to the Mental Health Nursing Branch of PASYDY, which says the building condition has exceeded every limit.
The union cited recent assessments that found the hospital’s wards unsuitable, with spaces described as inappropriate and dangerous for both patients and staff at the mental health facility.
The development confirms the branch’s longstanding warnings about outdated and dangerous building facilities, according to the announcement.
The union said it has highlighted the state’s responsibility for wretched and undignified housing and care conditions for the mentally ill through letters and public interventions for decades, but these warnings were systematically ignored.
The branch pointed to a decision to renovate two wards following years of pressure, at a cost of many millions of euros. However, just eight years later, these renovated wards have also been deemed unsuitable, raising serious issues of public money management and complete lack of long-term planning in Mental Health Services, according to the union.
One year ago, three new, ultra-modern buildings were handed over, marking completion of Phase A of the project for a new Athalassa Psychiatric Hospital.
During the inauguration, authorities announced that Phase B—concerning construction of the new hospital—would start immediately. One year later, there has been no official update or implementation timeline, according to the branch.
The Mental Health Nursing Branch called on the state, Health Ministry and State Health Services Organisation to proceed without further delay to ensure patient safety and dignified care, and to protect staff working under extremely adverse conditions.
“For us, the workers at Athalassa Hospital, the situation has now reached its limits,” the announcement stated, warning that staff “are at ground zero.”
The union called on authorities to either take immediate and substantial decisions or assume responsibility for the continuation of a tragic situation affecting patients and staff.
“Immediate decision-making is no longer an option, but an imperative necessity,” the announcement concluded.
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