Nurse shortage is a 'disaster'

Pixabay - file image

Switzerland is suffering from a shortage of nurses. The head of the Swiss Nurses Association, Sophie Ley, says the situation is a disaster – and she warns it’s only going to get worse.

There are currently 7,500 vacancies for nurses across the country – and as she explained to the Tribune de Genève, more are leaving the profession every day. 

She’s calling for better working conditions – which is more than pay, although she does say that needs to rise. 

It’s just as important that schedules need to be flexible and reflect child care needs.

The Geneva University Hospital says not enough nurses are being trained and the pressure is only going to increase as the population ages. 

More from Bitesize News

  • Annecy attack - children remain critical

    Four children aged between 22 months and three years old are being treated for their injuries after being attacked by a knifeman in Annecy yesterday afternoon. They’re in a critical condition.

  • Girl refused permission to go on marine course

    The parents of a 12-year-old girl in canton Zug are furious at her school as they won’t allow a one week dispensation for her to travel to Australia to take part in a world renowned study of marine life around the Great Barrier Reef.

  • Pride this weekend

    The Pride March in Geneva tomorrow is expected to attract 30,000. Police are warning of major disruptions in the centre of the city, road closures and there’ll be several public transport lines cut or closed.

  • Geneva Street Food Festival now on

    The Geneva Street Food Festival is underway. It opened yesterday afternoon and is on for the next 9 days.

  • Rockfall alert could last for weeks

    Residents in the threatened village of Brienz in Graubünden were allowed to visit their homes briefly yesterday.

  • Geneva power cut traps lift users

    Geneva firefighters had to rescue several people stuck in elevators on Tuesday night as a major power cut plunged several districts into darkness.