Netherlands
The FNV trade union and the RTL Nieuws broadcaster have published a survey covering nearly 2300 workers in nursing and home care that shows that work is becoming increasingly difficult and has to be done with fewer and fewer colleagues. The union argues that this poses a threat to the quality of care as well as the safety of employees and those they care for. The FNV says that as a result of government policy people are receiving care at home for longer and so by the time they move to a care home they often need more complex care. Waiting lists for care home places have risen from 8000 in 2008 to almost 22000 in 2022. About half of the survey respondents said staff shortages make the problem even worse, often with inadequate time to provide quality care. The FNV argues that better pay will help address staff shortages and more training is need to cope with specific care needs, such as dementia.
