Spanish Medical Consultations Suspended Amid Strikes

Medical strikes in Spain have significantly increased surgical waitlists in several regions. In the Basque Country, surgical lists rose from 54 to 78 cases since late December, while patients waiting over six months are ten times more numerous than before the strikes, according to the health counselor. In Cantabria, surgical lists increased by 4% and in the Balearic Islands by 3%. Health officials plan to use private contracted centers to address the backlog. In Cantabria, specialist consultation wait times are growing by three to six days each week. Catalonia reports a slight worsening in non-urgent surgeries, and similar trends are noted in Madrid. Data covering seven autonomous communities has been released regarding the effects of canceled appointments and operations. An estimated 150,000 medical consultations have been suspended in Madrid and Andalusia since protests began in January. One patient reported traveling from northern Tenerife to a hospital only to find operations suspended due to an anesthesiologist strike. The patient expressed frustration over the lack of prior notification regarding the service disruption. A traveler reported delays reaching a hospital from northern Tenerife. The suspensions are linked to ongoing labor strikes within the healthcare sector.