One third of home nursing organisations questioned by broadcaster NOS say that they do not have enough staff to fill their rosters over the summer and thousands of full-time jobs are still vacant.

In total, NOS questioned 63 home nursing companies with over 281,000 clients between them.

The staff shortages are so acute that some companies are increasing the pay for temporary staff by two euros an hour, if they commit to the entire two-month summer period, the broadcaster said. In total, the 63 organisations are short of 1,500 full-time home nurses.

Priority is being given to patients who are terminally ill, have just been discharged from hospital or who need acute nursing care, sector umbrella group Actiz said.

‘This means some people will have to wait longer than normal for help and support,’ chairwoman Jacqueline Joppe told NOS.