Overnight Psychiatric Care Changes Spark Safety Concerns at Santa croce and Carle di Cuneo Hospital
Cuneo, Italy – A new agreement between the Santa Croce and Carle di Cuneo Hospital and the ASL CN1, set to take effect this autumn, will alter overnight doctor coverage for psychiatric patients, raising concerns about patient safety and staff support. The agreement restructures a long-standing collaboration between the two healthcare entities, impacting both hospital and territorial employees.
For the past five years, physicians have maintained an “active guard” presence – physically stationed within the psychiatric ward – around the clock, including weekends and holidays. Starting October 1st, though, overnight weekday coverage will shift to a “ready availability” model, requiring doctors to remain at home and respond to calls from the department and emergency room. This change promptly reduces direct physician presence in the mental health ward,and will eliminate the physical support previously available to nurses managing patients experiencing acute psychological distress or decompensation.
The shift has prompted worry about diminished assistance for patients and a potential decrease in safety for nurses on duty. Critically, doctors operating under the “ready availability” system will not be entitled to compensatory rest or “disassemble” time, beyond the minimum allotted for responding to a call. The agreement’s implications are currently under discussion as the implementation date approaches.
