Campi Flegrei, unions raise the alarm: "San Paolo is at its limit, 30 new hires and an evacuation plan are needed."

Naples – The violent 4.7 magnitude earthquake, recorded in the Campi Flegrei area and classified as the strongest since the beginning of the current bradyseismic crisis, continues to have an impact on healthcare facilities in the area.

On the front lines is the "San Paolo" Hospital in Fuorigrotta, located in the immediate vicinity of the epicenter. Although it has not suffered any structural damage and is fully operational, the hospital is experiencing hours of great apprehension: the healthcare staff is working under intense psychological and physical stress and constant anxiety to ensure continuity of care.

The trade unions CSA and Nursing Up are the spokespersons for this situation, through a joint note addressed to the top management of the ASL Napoli 1 Centro (General Director, Health,

Administrative and Human Resources) have requested urgent intervention to protect workers and patients. The primary concern is for bedridden, post-operative, and non-self-sufficient patients, whose evacuation in an emergency would require significant maneuvers and energy.

Extraordinary recruitment and "fast track" for resignations

To address these critical issues, the unions are urging the immediate adoption of a multi-pronged extraordinary plan. The first pillar concerns staff coverage: they are requesting the rapid review of the rankings of fixed-term public notices for the immediate assignment of at least 15 nurses and 15 social-health workers (OSS). These resources would be used to strengthen ordinary care and establish a team dedicated to the rapid movement and safety of patients.

Furthermore, the unions are calling for the activation of a fast-track system for protected discharges and transfers: speeding up the discharge of clinically stabilized patients or their transfer to other facilities of the ASL Napoli 1 Centro distant from the epicentral area would ease the pressure on the departments and reduce the number of patients exposed to risk.

Incentive for the inconvenience and the infrastructural problem of construction sites

The document also emphasizes the psychological and physical well-being of staff: it calls for the establishment of a financial incentive program to recognize the exceptional emotional burden and work-related stress faced by those who work daily in an area at extremely high seismic risk.

Finally, the statement focuses on structural and logistical safety. CSA and Nursing Up are urging the rapid construction of an external escape staircase and the expediting of construction and plant work currently underway inside and outside the facility, as ongoing construction work poses a serious obstacle to escape routes in the event of a sudden evacuation. The unions have requested an urgent meeting with the ASL's strategic management to agree on the details of the next steps.