The Nursing Union (SATSE) has once again demanded the approval of the new Framework Statute for statutory personnel in light of the "very worrying" data on nurses' intention to leave the profession. According to these figures, almost 40 percent are considering leaving in the next ten years and nearly one in five would do so in just two years.
These results come from a study carried out by the Ministry of Health and the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII). In view of the conclusions, the union maintains that moving forward with the new regulation is essential to "prevent the abandonment of the nursing profession" and "to make improvements in the working conditions of nurses a reality."
SATSE recalls that "ending the precarious labor situation of male and female nurses was SATSE's main 'battle horse' in the negotiations on the reform of the Framework Statute" and emphasizes that it managed to have the text include "more than 100 improvements in the rights and working conditions of all healthcare personnel." For this reason, it urges that it be approved "as soon as possible."
The union details that the Preliminary Draft Law "is in full processing and has not yet been sent to the Congress of Deputies, after approval by the Council of Ministers." In its opinion, "no more time can be lost," as "solutions must be offered now to the various problems that lead nurses to consider leaving their profession."
The cited study "points to high temporality, lack of time, little professional recognition, insufficient salary, or excessive workload as factors that lead nurses to consider leaving their jobs, in addition to their negative perceptions about patient safety and the quality of care provided." For SATSE, these conclusions faithfully reflect the "labor and professional reality" of the collective.
SATSE warns of the impact on the healthcare system
According to the union, this situation is "perfectly" known by "all public administrations and private healthcare companies," but they "continue to fail to implement the necessary measures to end it." It adds that "the Ministry of Health itself acknowledges that this situation will have a 'potential structural impact' on the sustainability of the National Health System (SNS)."
"Despite this, managers and political parties evade their responsibility to guarantee safe and quality care by ensuring fair and dignified working conditions," denounces SATSE, which insists that "a healthcare system that causes its professionals to abandon it is a sick healthcare system."
In this context, it warns that "not having the adequate number of these professionals leads to more risks, complications, readmissions, and even more deaths." It also warns that "if stingy, short-sighted policies guided more by partisan interests persist, the outlook, not in 10 years, but sooner, will be devastating."
Therefore, SATSE calls on "political parties and autonomous communities" to, "once the reform of the Marco Statute is approved by the Government, not be guided by 'partisan stubbornness' and to enable the implementation of all the measures contemplated by the norm in fundamental aspects, such as working hours, job stability, professional recognition, retirement, workplace safety, or work-life balance, among others."