Thessaloniki Clinic to Be Sealed After Illegal Chemotherapy Unit Exposed

Stay connected to Greek City Times for Free on Google News
Click NOW

A private clinic in Thessaloniki is set to be sealed after an inspection uncovered an unlicensed oncology department where chemotherapy was being administered, according to findings by Greece’s National Transparency Authority.

The authority has recommended the permanent closure of the clinic and the revocation of its establishment and operating licence after inspectors identified serious regulatory, staffing and operational violations.

The oncology department was not included in the clinic’s operating licence. Inspectors also found that the clinic did not employ the required doctors and scientific heads of departments as dependent workers and had no written contracts with other collaborating doctors.

The facility also lacked sufficient nursing staff and did not employ personnel in the required specialties.

The clinic is expected to be sealed by a bailiff following the decision.

Doctor prescribed and administered chemotherapy

According to the investigation, a private pulmonologist specialising in lung oncology had been prescribing chemotherapy drugs for patients from his office since 2022.

The drugs were subsequently administered at the clinic’s unlicensed oncology department, with clinic staff involved in their preparation.

The National Transparency Authority said the doctor shares responsibility for the illegal operation of the department because oncology services were being provided in an area not covered by the clinic’s licence.

The doctor also did not have a written agreement with the clinic setting out the terms of their cooperation.

Inspectors identified cases in which patients were admitted to the clinic for several days under diagnoses that did not concern a form of cancer, while specific chemotherapy drugs were administered during their hospitalisation.

The findings raised questions about whether incorrect information had been submitted to EOPYY for reimbursement of the hospitalisations.

Earlier inspection found serious staffing problems

A regional committee responsible for inspecting private clinics conducted an extraordinary inspection in 2025 and found that the clinic did not have the nursing staff required for safe operation.

The committee recommended revoking the clinic’s Certificate of Good Operation because of understaffing and its failure to comply with previous recommendations.

After the certificate was revoked in early 2026, the committee recommended permanently shutting down the clinic and removing its establishment and operating licence.

However, the competent regional public health authority did not proceed with the permanent closure.

The National Transparency Authority later identified further issues during its investigation.

These included the existence of a fully equipped oncology department, a biological safety cabinet, online advertising for the unlicensed oncology services and a doctor’s office operating under a specialty not included in the clinic’s current licence.

Inspectors also found that the clinic’s scientific heads of departments were not employed under dependent employment arrangements and that collaborating doctors did not have written contracts.

The clinic also did not have an intensive care unit.

Transparency Authority refers case to prosecutor

The National Transparency Authority has recommended that the competent regional authority permanently close the clinic and revoke its establishment and operating licence.

It also called for administrative sanctions against the clinic and for private clinics and inspection committees to receive clearer guidance on their legal obligations.

The authority further instructed the competent public health directorate to strictly follow statutory procedures and deadlines when dealing with violations.

The clinic was also instructed to correct its website so that information about its services accurately reflects those covered by its operating licence.

The report has been forwarded to the Athens Appeals Prosecutor to investigate any potential criminal liability.

It has also been sent to EOPYY to examine the accuracy of information submitted by the clinic for reimbursement of specific hospitalisations.

The relevant medical association has also received the report to investigate any potential disciplinary responsibility.

POEDIN president criticises delayed action

POEDIN president Michalis Giannakos said the sealing of the clinic was long overdue.

He alleged that the facility had advertised oncology services despite lacking the required staffing and equipment.

Giannakos said complaints about the clinic had reached the former Health and Welfare Services Inspectorate, which was incorporated into the National Transparency Authority in 2019.

According to Giannakos, inspectors found a severely understaffed facility operating primarily as a care home while advertising oncology services.

He also criticised the delay between the inspectors’ recommendations and the eventual decision to seal the clinic.

Giannakos further alleged that the clinic continued operating despite the earlier recommendation for permanent closure and the revocation of its Certificate of Good Operation.

His comments are separate from the formal findings contained in the National Transparency Authority’s report.

Source: ERT News

Stay updated with the latest news from Greece and around the world on greekcitytimes.com.
Contact our newsroom to share your updates, stories, photos, or videos. Follow GCT on Google News and Apple News.