For the first time in history, a private hospital, the “Henry Dunant”, is on duty with all its specialties for non-covid cases, as part of the National Health System’s on-duty hospitals. As of March 10, more than 850 NHS cases were treated in Henry Dunant’s first days on-duty, while hospitalizations exceeded 280, as the president and CEO of the private hospital Themos Charamis informs ANA-MPA. At the same time, he points out that at the time of national battle, the division between the public and the private sector is primarily unfair to the medical community, while he emphasizes that “mobilization must be general and everyone’s assistance effective and not ostensible”.
Mr. Charamis interview is as follows:
Q: Does Henry Dunant’s alignment with the NHS create new data, and what does it mean for the hospital?
A: This is clearly an unprecedented undertaking, but the situation we are all experiencing, all over the world, requires unprecedented moves. For the first time in history, a private hospital, the Henry Dunant, is on duty with all its specialties for non-covid cases as part of the National Health System’s on-duty system (replacing the Sismanogleio, which has been turned into a Covid reference hospital). I believe that the Ministry of Health, evaluated and chose the Henry Dunant as an on-duty hospital to relieve the situation in the public hospitals, because it was certain that - the JCI accredited hospital - would cope successfully. First of all, we think this a great honor for our doctors and staff, who voluntarily cover NHS’s on-duty days, without any additional remuneration. Without a doubt, this is a choice of the official State which confirms the high level of quality, completeness and security of Henry Dunant Hospital’s services.
Q: How does Henry Dunant being on-duty work? Do they sent you cases from “Sismanogleio” through the EKAB emergency medical service?
A: We follow the NHS on-duty program fully, but in Henry Dunant, the on-call time is covered in its entirety by specialized and highly experienced doctors, without the support of interns. This increases the voluntary contribution of our doctors. Patients either come to the Henry Dunant Emergency Department by themselves during the on-duty hours or, transported through the EKAB ambulances if their case is serious. It is self-evident that medical examinations and, where required, hospitalization are done without any financial burden for the patient.
Q: How many NHS cases are treated in Henry Dunant? And what problems emerged during the on-duty hours?
A: In the first on-duty shifts, more than 850 cases were examined and hospitalizations exceeded 280. And we are proud of our readiness and results. Everything went well thanks to our experience, professionalism, and, I might add, enthusiasm. The cooperation and synchronization of the services of the 1st Region of Attica worked flawlessly, as did the cooperation with the EKAB. During the last 24-hour duty, on Saturday 20/3, the Emergency Department of Henry Dunant provided services to 249 patients, and saw through 80 admissions. Completing 20 years of operation with the provision of high quality services, the Henry Dunant has the experience and automation required to cope with even the most unusual and stressful situations. Moreover, our intensive preparation for the past two years to get the JCI internationally leading quality and safety accreditation was another “weapon” for the hospital’s full readiness at the time of the pandemic.
Q: Public hospitals have reached their limits and the pressure will continue. Can the private sector help any further?
A: At the time of national battle, the division between the public and the private sector is primarily unfair to the medical community. Mobilization must be general and everyone’s assistance effective and not ostensible”. This is a message that Henry Dunant is not only transmitting now that we have been the first to bellwether on-duty shifts, with the voluntary mobilization of all our staff. Already, from the beginning of the pandemic, we had made availavle to the State, ICU and hospital beds, gradually increasing their number, in order to meet the needs of the NHS. We are also the first private hospital to send doctors and nurses, supporting critical specialties of the NHS hospitals in Northern Greece.
Q: To what extent do the latest development with the coverage of the NHS on-duty services by “Henry Dunant”, but also the pandemic in general, change the hospital’s plans for transfer?
A: This is a matter that concerns Piraeus Bank, which actively supports Henry Dunant, regardless of the situation, with particular emphasis on its social role. Not coincidentally, the bank’s CEO Christos Megalou visited our hospital on Saturday when it was on general duty, to thank and congratulate our doctors and staff for their professionalism and enthusiasm to help the NHS. On this occasion, he assured them of the bank’s continuous support in the very important mission they have undertaken. Despite the pandemic, with the approval of the management of Piraeus Bank, the plan to strengthen the hospital’s logistics is being fully implemented, and there is continuous reinforcement in specialized medical and nursing staff. Last year, the investment in new equipment exceeded 2,500,000 euros, while another 1.3 million euros were spent on additional equipment in order to increase the number of ICU beds and the necessary infrastructure of the on-call staff. Finally, eight new clinics were created, and last week new cooperation agreements were signed with doctors. So, in face of this prolonged national ordeal, the Henry Dunant not only took steps forward and demonstrated reflexes that confirm his prominent position in the domestic health system, but also added value that we are also proud of.
Interview to Efi Fouseki/ANA-MPA
22/03/2021
