“We have come a long way by integrating the Žalgiris clinic into Santara clinics. Now we can say with certainty that this path was crowned with success – both institutions’ wealth accumulated from each other’s experience and health services provided. I am grateful to all participants in the process for their patience, good will and determination to seek dialogue.
The long transition period of the integration made it possible to harmonize many operational details so that the interests of neither patients nor employees were harmed. I believe that in the near future we will be able to use the fruits of this integration by increasing the availability of dental services and raising the qualifications of doctors”, says Minister of Health Aurim Pečkauskas.
Dalius Matkevičius, the head of the Žalgiris clinic, draws attention to the fact that services will be provided to patients in the same place as before – Žalgirio st. 115, 117. Dentists, periodontists, endodontists, orthodontists, orthopedic dentists, hygienists, children’s dentists, oral surgeons will work and provide a full range of services, outpatient and inpatient facial and maxillofacial surgery services will be provided, and children and adults with disabilities will be treated using general insensitive
“This year, Žalgiris Clinic is celebrating its 30th birthday. This is a historic event for an institution that has existed as a separate legal entity for so many years. Today is a special day because one university hospital is being connected to another. It is a day when a new window is opened for the well-being of patients, the development of employees, modern technologies and innovative solutions.
Žalgiris clinic was, is and will be a center for dentistry, facial and maxillofacial surgery, because as in the whole world, these two fields – dental and medical – are inseparable. After the connection, the Žalgiris clinic remains where it was. The services of seven dental departments and two medical departments will continue to be provided in full,” says Dalius Matkevičius, head of the Žalgiris clinic.
Director General of Santara Clinics Prof. Tomas Jovaiša emphasizes that the reorganization of the institution is a serious change that begins together with the Žalgiris clinic. Often, major changes cause anxiety for both organization members and patients, so it is important to note that change does not happen quickly, it is a process.
“Today is a symbolic date when Žalgiris clinic becomes part of Santara clinics, its branch. I am sure that this integration will be beneficial to all parties – first of all the patients, but also the communities of both institutions. Institutions providing the highest level of health care services concentrate such patients who require multi-profile, complex assistance, so specialists from different fields ensure comprehensive, operative assistance in complex cases.
We know the patients’ expectations and we believe that we will be able to properly fulfill them when, in the long run, higher-risk, complex inpatient care will be provided in Santaras clinics, where there is a modern intensive care infrastructure, and outpatient and day surgery services will be provided to patients in the usual place – the Santaras clinic branch, Žalgiris clinic. “
According to Vilnius University Rector Professor Rimvydas Petrauskas, this connection is seen not only as an opportunity to ensure better quality and smoother service provision to patients, but also as a great chance to develop academic and pedagogical activities. By integrating knowledge and skills from different fields, doctors and scientists will be able to offer new ways to solve complex health problems.
The manager of the Santaras clinics says that together with the manager of the Žalgiris clinic, it was agreed to conduct a feasibility study in order to assess where and what services are best to provide, so that it is convenient for both patients and employees. Connecting the Žalgiris clinic will allow employees to use the modern and constantly improved information technology system of Santaras clinics, common infrastructure, and ensure an effective management process.
“I don’t expect that all processes will go smoothly, but I believe in the benefits of this reorganization for patients, medical students and our colleagues, who will have the opportunity to learn from each other, share best practices, create science, and participate in various projects.” I wish us all listening, cooperation and a successful path towards achieving common goals.”
Fired employees
From Tuesday, when the clinic in the capital Žalgiris started operating as a branch of Santaras clinics, the head of the institution, Dalius Matkevičius, admits that 16 percent of the employees lost their jobs due to the changes in the clinic. employees. However, as the head of the institution points out, most of the necessary employees have already been found, so patients will not feel the change and services will continue to be provided as usual.
“Most of the employees left for their well-earned rest. Others have apparently found better job offers based on the current job market. (…) today, most of them have already been replaced, the works have been reorganized so as not to disturb them. About 10 more positions are needed in certain subsections, but this has no impact on the clinic’s activities,” D. Matkevičius told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday, adding that currently the Žalgiris clinic lacks orthodontists the most.
“Of course, there is a shortage of dental specialists, no matter how many there are, and this shortage is increasing every year, because we have a private sector that attracts the majority of specialists. However, those who want to work with difficult cases and engage in science choose the Žalgiris clinic,” said D. Matkevičius.
The head of the institution also notes that after the clinic is connected to Santaras clinics, the services provided in the institution, their scope and prices will not change. For his part, the head of the Santaras clinics, Tomas Jovaiša, says that he did not receive many questions about the merger process in the meeting with the employees of the Žalgiris clinic held a day before the merger of the institutions.
“This is a reflection of the fact that the long months of preparation have not been spent in vain so far, and it is clear enough for most employees how today looks like,” T. Jovaiša told reporters.
A competition for a new manager will be announced
T. Jovaiša also notes that when the Žalgiris clinic becomes a branch of Santaras clinics, the institution will have to announce a competition for a new manager in the near future. “The branch is headed by doctor Dalius Matkevičius today. Since Žalgiris clinic is now a branch, we will announce a competition for the position of its manager. As with other administrative positions at Santara Clinics, this is a competitive position for a 5-year term. We will have to implement this in the course of a few months”, said T. Jovaiša.
However, the current head of the institution, D. Matkevičius, has not yet answered the question of whether he will participate in the competition for the position of head of the clinic. “This is a very strong question of the future. For the time being, I expect that everything will continue smoothly and that we will start the new white page that we have opened without mistakes”, D. Matkevičius told journalists.
ELTA reminds that from Tuesday, the Žalgiris clinic in the capital will start operating as a branch of Vilnius University (VU) Hospital Santaras Clinics. Due to the merger of the institutions, the Ministry of Health Protection (SAM) signed the description of the reorganization conditions in December of last year.
As the then Minister of Health Arūnas Dulkys stated, the merger of medical institutions should bring benefits not only to doctors, but also to patients. It is hoped that the reorganization will also increase the availability of health services.
Reorganization is also carried out in order to optimize the activities of mono-profile hospitals, improving the quality, safety and availability of health care services and ensuring the rational use of resources, taking into account international recommendations.
After the implemented changes, all the rights and responsibilities of the Žalgiris clinic were transferred to the Santaras clinics.
2024-09-03 15:21:32