The decision by two major medical facilities in the capital of Estonia to abandon 24-hour shifts has sparked serious discussions within the professional community. The West Tallinn Central Hospital and the North Estonia Medical Centre (PERH) introduced 12-hour shifts for patient safety, yet the innovation has caused dissatisfaction among nurses and orderlies, forcing some of them to look for new jobs.
Reasons and Arguments of Medical Managements
The decision to abandon 24-hour shifts is justified by the desire to reduce the risks of medical errors and professional burnout. As explained by Katre Zirel, Director of Nursing at PERH, numerous studies confirm the high degree of staff fatigue during intensive work, which multiplies towards the end of a round-the-clock shift.
At the same time, the management of the East Tallinn Central Hospital maintains the previous work format. Ketリン Pallo, Head of Nursing at this facility, noted that such changes had been implemented before, but staff shortages often forced hospitals to return to 24-hour shifts.
Organizational Difficulties and Logistics
The transition to shorter shifts has created logistical and domestic problems for employees. A PERH orderly pointed out the increase in transport costs and travel time due to the need to come to the hospital four to five days a week, and also expressed bewilderment at the preservation of round-the-clock duties for doctors.
A midwife at the West Tallinn Central Hospital spoke about the difficulties of combining schedules in a medical family where both spouses work in healthcare. According to her, 12-hour schedules disrupt the usual way of life in the absence of round-the-clock kindergartens and complicate returning home late at night due to the lack of public transport.
Position of the Nurses Union and Industry Risks
The Nurses Union supports the general trend of shortening work shifts, but points to systemic problems in the sector. Head of the organization Kätlin Lillemaa noted that every fifth nurse combines work in several places, and shortening shifts can lead to a shortage of assistants at secondary jobs and an increase in the workload for remaining employees.
Experts fear that such changes could provoke a personnel crisis not only in large clinics, but also in regional hospitals, which will find it harder to ensure continuous round-the-clock duty. According to union representatives, uniform industry rules and a nationwide consensus between medical institutions are needed to resolve the situation.
Consequences of the Reform for the Labor Market
The situation in Tallinn clinics demonstrates the fragility of the balance between patient safety and the social needs of healthcare workers. Further developments will show whether hospitals can find compromise solutions to retain personnel, or if the reform will require correction by the ministry and clinic management.
