The Temuco Regional Hospital, located in the Araucanía region, has initiated the countdown to the construction of five new corridors as part of a broader infrastructure modernization project. This expansion will add to the existing ten corridors currently in operation at this high-complexity healthcare facility.
Specifically, the start of construction work at the hospital is scheduled for December. This undertaking will necessitate changes to existing spaces to accommodate the progress of the project, though the decisions were reportedly made «behind closed doors» without the participation of the hospital staff, according to some employees.
One of the main points of contention is the relocation of the Traumatology service from the first to the seventh floor. Claudio Carrasco, president of the Fenasenf union, stated that this change was communicated with little advance notice and without considering the hospital’s current conditions, such as the ongoing issues with the elevators that have already been raised.
While the union supports infrastructure improvements, they disagree with how the information about this new project has been handled. «We don’t know how long these works and internal modifications to the increasingly reduced spaces will last,» said Freddy Constanzo, a representative of the technical staff. There are concerns that the timelines may extend, as has happened with the construction of the new oncology center.
Concerns About Lack of Dialogue and Potential Job Losses
Teresa Saavedra, president of the Fenats union at the hospital, was critical, pointing out that an effective dialogue with the management is not being achieved due to the constant turnover of interim directors.
Additionally, the staff expressed concerns about the imminent dismissal of personnel hired through public tenders, as some departments have already communicated instructions to reduce this type of workforce in recent weeks.
Regarding the number of beds in the Traumatology department, there has been a decrease from 27 to 21 rooms, which also raises concerns about the impact on patient care, especially for those on waiting lists.
Balancing Modernization and Staff Engagement
The Temuco Regional Hospital’s expansion project aims to modernize its infrastructure and enhance patient care. However, the implementation process has raised concerns among the hospital staff, who feel that their input and the current challenges faced by the facility have not been adequately considered. As the project moves forward, it will be crucial for the hospital administration to foster open communication and address the staff’s legitimate concerns to ensure a smooth and effective transformation that benefits both patients and employees.
