Nurses at the Dromokaiteio psychiatric hospital in western Athens yesterday went on strike to protest chronic staff shortages that are leaving hundreds of patients inadequately supervised.

Only 800 of the 1,400 hospital staff positions are filled, according to Michalis Giannakos, the head of the workers’ union. As a result, only one nurse is available for every 40 patients, Giannakos said, noting that patients are often tied to their beds due to inadequate supervision.

Another major problem, set to worsen during the current heat wave, is the lack of air-conditioning units.

A Health Ministry official said hospital vacancies have been announced and will soon be filled.

Staff said they will block public access to the hospital on Mondays and Thursdays and strike from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on those days.