The staffing crisis in the Romanian medical system continues: positions remain frozen
The medical system in Romania is facing major difficulties due to the hiring freeze in public institutions. This measure, introduced back in 2023, has drastically limited the ability of hospitals to recruit new doctors and nurses, affecting the capacity of healthcare units to provide comprehensive medical services.
Currently, the only way a hospital can open a position for competition is by obtaining a special memorandum. This procedure is described by industry representatives as bureaucratic and cumbersome, requiring time and multiple approvals from central authorities. For this reason, many medical units are failing to fill vacancies left by staff who retire or leave the system.
The consequences of this situation are felt directly by patients, who are facing longer waiting lists and increased pressure on existing medical staff. Doctors and nurses currently working are overworked, which can lead to a decrease in the quality of medical care in certain critical departments.
Authorities remain under pressure to find solutions that would allow for the unfreezing of essential positions. It remains to be seen whether concrete measures will be taken in the coming period to simplify the hiring process and ensure the necessary staffing levels in hospitals across the country.