Home Care in Cyprus: A Plan for Broader Patient Support Is Developed

Home care in Cyprus aims to provide more coordinated support to patients who need treatment, care, and rehabilitation without frequent trips to facilities. The Organization of State Health Services (OKYPY) and the Federation of Patients' Organizations of Cyprus (OSAK) are working on a new model.

The solutions being considered include collaboration between doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and other specialists, as well as support for families. The project is currently in the development phase. Neither the launch date for the entire model nor the final funding terms have been announced yet.

Home care in Cyprus – what is going to change?

The goal is to create a network of services that address all patient needs. The goal is to improve the flow of information between those providing treatment, care, and rehabilitation, rather than separate interventions.

The working group began its work in September. It includes representatives from primary healthcare, nursing services, OKYPY community nursing, and patient organizations.

The sequence of actions should be as follows: first, identifying the needs, then preparing a plan, and only then assessing the financial possibilities of its implementation.

Doctor, nurse and physiotherapy closer to the patient

Services being considered include home medical and nursing care, regular assessment of the patient's condition, physiotherapy and psychological support.

A key element is direct collaboration between the community nurse and the patient's personal physician and specialists. Depending on the situation, these could include a pulmonologist, intensive care physician, or surgeon.

This doesn't mean that every specialist will come to your home. It also means that a quick consultation can be held and a joint decision on the next course of action can be made, without the need to transport the patient to the hospital each time.

More support for families and caregivers

A separate area of work is the preparation of those who care for patients on a daily basis. Consideration is being given to providing structured training and defining activities that caregivers can perform, as well as those reserved for qualified medical personnel.

This is important both for the safety of the patient and for families, who often take on a large part of daily responsibilities.

There are also plans to link home care with other local services, including day care centers. A referral system would facilitate access to care that meets the patient's actual needs.

Special needs of device-dependent patients

More specific solutions are being explored for people with serious chronic illnesses and patients dependent on mechanical life support.

In such cases, properly trained nurses, collaboration with attending physicians, and the ability to respond quickly to problems are essential. Simply increasing the number of visits is not enough without properly organizing all support.

The goal is to allow you to stay in a familiar environment, if your health and care conditions allow it safely.

What's available now?

OKYPY's home-based nursing care system is already operational. A project is currently underway to expand it and develop a broader model of long-term care.

According to current information from OKYPY, home services under GeSY can be used by registered beneficiaries who are bedridden or have significant physical disabilities and require care at home.

An electronic referral from a physician or specialist collaborating with GeSY is required. Then, contact the appropriate OKYPY service or the nearest health center. The referral is based on an assessment of the patient's needs.

OKYPY serves as standard 12 visits per year, with the possibility of approving a larger number in justified cases. The additional fee is 6 euros per visit and counts towards the annual GeSY subsidy limit.

The new model may go beyond the scope of services currently funded by GeSY. However, this does not automatically mean free access to all listed benefits. The final scope, eligibility requirements, and funding will depend on further project development.