The Patients’ Rights Observatory, run by the Cyprus Federation of Patients’ Associations, plays a central role in monitoring healthcare and advocating for patients’ rights in Cyprus. Between 2022 and early 2025, the observatory recorded an increase in patient complaints – up 44.9% in 2023 compared to 2022. Although these complaints (see Table 1) are not a direct measure of satisfaction, they provide valuable insights into the ongoing challenges and changes in public expectations regarding the GeSY.
Table 1. Main categories and selected share of complaints. (Note: these shares only tally up to 90%.)
| Main categories | Share of total complaints | Key issues |
| Medications | 32% | Non-coverage by GeSY, variable copayments |
| Access to services | 19% | Delays in appointments, long waiting times in emergency departments or to see specialists |
| Behaviour of healthcare professionals | 17% | Poor conduct and communication |
| Expenses and costs | 14% | Unexpected charges at point of service (copayments and contributions) |
| Quality of services | 8% | Concerns about adequacy |
Source: authors’ own elaboration based on data from https://cypatient.org/observatory-information.
A recent and notable trend is the emergence of complaints from personal doctors within GeSY who report being pressured by patients to issue referrals, while at the same time facing strict monthly referral limits from the HIO. This tension has led to dissatisfaction on both sides: patients report being denied the specialist care they need, and providers express concerns that their clinical autonomy is being compromised.