Filenews 7 October 2025 - by Marilena Panayi
Specialist doctors are on standby duty, paid to be on standby duty, but do not report to the Accident and Emergency Department when called upon to serve patients with health problems related to their specialty. Admissions of patients without updating medical data, forms without signatures and incomplete documentation are some of the findings of the Audit Office which are recorded in its report on the A&E of the Larnaca hospital.
The special report was released today and, among other things, points out the non-recording of cases served by the doctors of the Department, as a result of which the State Health Services Organization (OKYPY) loses significant amounts of its revenues.
The most important finding is considered to be the practice of specialist doctors not to appear when called by the A&E for incidents related to their specialty.
''In most of the cases in the sample, it is not documented that they (the doctors) presented themselves to the A&E, even when the admission of patients was required. The examination and care of patients seems to have been undertaken by the resident doctors," the report states, noting that, despite their absence, the doctors on duty "received the full on-call allowances, €450–€850 per on-call duty".
This practice, according to the Audit Office, "has been consolidated", without a clear procedure to ensure the optimal use of resources and maximum patient safety. "Public money is paid without receiving the corresponding services."
At the same time, although there is a decision of the board of directors of OKYPY not to pay an allowance in case of non-attendance, this "is not implemented due to the reaction of the unions".
The Audit Office emphasizes that this practice creates risks for patients: "Patients may not receive the appropriate services, which may endanger their health."
The audit also revealed serious deficiencies in medical forms and case documentation.
Of the 23 cases of patient admission examined, "in 22 the clinical picture of the patients, as well as the time of their examination, is not recorded by the specialist doctor on duty".
Forms without the signature of a responsible doctor or signed by other doctors or residents were also observed.
The Audit Office points out that "the correct completion of the forms is required to ensure the quality of care, to update the file and to document the attendance of the doctors on duty".
During the on-site inspection, it was found that the medical forms of the A&E are kept in completely inappropriate places, namely "in a temporary storage area of the hospital (former physiotherapy pool)".
Their storage, according to the report, was done in a cluttered, without chronological classification, which endangers the security of patients' personal data.
OKYPY replied that "solutions are being explored for the transfer and secure storage of files" and that the problem will be solved with the digitization of medical records, which is "already underway".
Serious loss of revenue and incomplete recording
According to the data of the report, the Larnaca hospital did not submit 5,116 claims (to the HIO) for outpatient care. 7.54% of the total visits received by the A&E were not recorded, causing a loss of revenue of €67,681.
«There was a doctor who did not submit 51.22% of his visits, without any consequence," the report notes.
The Audit Office emphasizes that the problem does not only concern revenues, but also the completeness of medical records: "Failure to submit claims implies incomplete updating of the files in the GHS Information System, with risks to patient safety."
OKYPY acknowledges the problem and states that "a central revenue control unit has been created", while the HIO has been asked to "appoint an administrator of external visits". However, "the submission of claims remains an obligation of doctors".
Delays in surgeries and incomplete documentation
The report also records delays in surgical procedures: "In several cases, the time between intubation (anaesthesia) and the start of surgery reached up to one hour and forty minutes."
The Audit Office recommends "investigating the causes of the delay" and creating a "medical protocol for intubation".
OKYPY replied that the data checked "was not accurate", however the Service notes that "the absence of a computerized recording system increases the risk of human error".
The Audit Office recommends:
• Electronic system for recording the time of call and attendance of doctors.
• Non-payment of on-call duties without documentation of attendance.
• Strengthening supervision for the completeness of medical forms.
• Secure file storage or digitization.
• Audit of claims to the HIO and possible "sanctions or de-incentives" in cases of negligence.
The Special Report finds a picture of functional laxity and incomplete control in the Larnaca hospital, with consequences for both financial management and patient safety. "More drastic measures are required to ensure the proper operation, transparency and safety of the health services provided."
