Borovinić Bojović: The Euro model for safeguarding public healthcare and the dignity of medical staff

Deputy Prime Minister for Health and Social Welfare Jelena Borovinić Bojović visited the “Grabovac” Home for the Elderly in Risan yesterday, where she spoke with the management, staff and residents about living conditions, the quality of care and the challenges facing the home.

During the visit, Borovinić Bojović highlighted the considerable effort and dedication evident in the staff’s work with residents, particularly emphasising the importance of doctors’ active involvement in their day-to-day care.

I am pleased to have had the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the institution’s work, speak with staff and residents, and hear about their experiences and needs. The considerable effort that staff put into caring for residents is evident, and I am particularly pleased that doctors are fully involved in this process, Borovinić Bojović stated.

She emphasised that the insights gained during the visit would serve as a basis for further assessment of the institution’s needs, with the aim of improving living and working conditions and considering opportunities to provide the necessary medical equipment and devices.

It is our duty to listen to the people who work within the system every day, as well as those who use the services of our institutions. Based on everything we have had the opportunity to hear and see, we will endeavour to explore opportunities to improve conditions and provide the necessary equipment, so that residents receive even better care and healthcare, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised.

She singled out the shortage of nursing and care staff, particularly nurses and care workers, as a significant challenge, noting their vital role in providing day-to-day care and support to residents of homes for the elderly.

Without nurses, care workers and other staff who provide direct care to patients and residents, the healthcare system cannot function as we want it to. Their work must be recognised and appropriately rewarded, and their professional dignity safeguarded. As a doctor, I am particularly aware of how important nursing and care staff are to the functioning of the system and to providing quality care for every individual, Borovinić Bojović stated.

Speaking about possible solutions to staffing problems, she emphasised that the Euro model and salary increases were important steps towards improving the position of employees and safeguarding the public healthcare system.

We must place particular emphasis on nursing and care staff, nurses and care workers, who are there for patients and residents every day and whose contribution is irreplaceable. Their work must be appropriately rewarded and their professional dignity safeguarded. By investing in these people, we invest in the quality of healthcare and social care. The Euro model and improved salaries represent an important step towards creating the conditions to retain skilled staff, motivate employees and ensure the sustainability of the public healthcare system, Borovinić Bojović concluded.