Filenews 23 January 2026
The building condition at the Athalassa hospital has exceeded all limits, emphasizes the Mental Health Nurses Branch of PASYDY and citing "recent evaluations" refers to unsuitable and dangerous places for patients and employees in the hospital.
As stated in the announcement, from recent evaluations, the wards of the Hospital were deemed unsuitable, as a result of which even their demolition was required.
As it is pointed out, this development confirms in the most dramatic way the Sector's long-standing warnings about outdated and dangerous building facilities.
The Branch reminds that for decades, in letters and public interventions, it has pointed out the heavy responsibility of the State for the miserable and undignified housing and hospitalization conditions of the mentally ill, stressing that these warnings were systematically ignored.
Particular reference is made to the decision to renovate two wards, after many years of pressure from the Sector, at a cost of many millions of euros. However, just eight years later, these wards were also deemed unsuitable, which, as it is emphasized, raises very serious issues of public money management and a complete lack of long-term planning in Mental Health Services.
The Branch also reminds that three new, state-of-the-art buildings were delivered a year ago, marking the completion of Phase A of the project for the new Athalassa Hospital.
During the inauguration, it was announced that the second phase, which concerns the construction of the new hospital, would begin immediately. A year later, according to the Sector, there is no official update or implementation timetable.
The Mental Health Nursing Staff Branch calls on the State, the Ministry of Health and OKYPY to proceed without further delay with the necessary actions, in order to ensure the safety and dignified hospitalization of patients, but also the protection of staff, who – as underlined – work under extremely adverse conditions.
"For us, the employees of Athalassa Hospital, the situation has now reached its limits," it is characteristically noted, with the Branch warning that "we are at ground zero". As it is emphasized, those responsible are called upon either to make immediate and meaningful decisions, or to take responsibility for the continuation of a tragic situation that affects patients and staff. "Immediate decision-making is no longer an option, but an imperative," the statement concludes
