Healthcare workers at accident and emergency stations outside hospitals will start a three-day strike on Monday. They demand the reopening of dozens of A & E stations in the Madrid region and the return to the emergency model that was in place before the pandemic.
In concrete terms, workers are calling for the reopening of 37 accident and emergency stations (SUAP) and 40 health posts (SAR) outside major cities in the Madrid region. This under the same conditions and with the same occupation as before the pandemic.
On Wednesday, the union will speak with the Ministry of Health
Several unions recently announced this three-day strike. For the time being, the intention is that the strike will end on Wednesday 11 January. Therefore, a meeting is scheduled for this day between the Amtys trade union and the Ministry of Health to assess whether the strike by doctors across Spain, which began on November 21 and was temporarily suspended on December 22, should be resumed.
Health care collapse in Spain is imminent
An emergency threatens not only in Madrid, various trade unions and trade associations have been crying out for help for months and warning of a collapse of healthcare in Spain. The problems are greatest in primary care and emergency rooms. The shortage of doctors is estimated at nearly 30,000 nationwide and about 130,000 nurses are needed to provide adequate and timely care. As a result, there are gigantic waiting lists for various treatments and the pressure on medical staff is inhumane.
Counter-proposal for return to pre-pandemic emergency model
These shortages threaten the closure of dozens of first aid and care posts outside hospitals in the Madrid region. The regional board also wants to reorganise the remaining healthcare staff. Unions, after hearing of the reorganisation envisioned by the regional government, have made a counter-proposal to return to an emergency model that existed before the pandemic. In that case, several accident and emergency stations and health posts in the countryside were still operational.
Healthcare personnel requirements
In addition, unions demand more funding for primary care and more staff based on the real needs that exist now. To make working in healthcare more attractive, the government should provide more job security for healthcare workers. This in the form of removing or reducing temporary and agency contracts.
Also read: Collapse of primary healthcare and A&E
