28 October doctors’ strike puts appointments at risk

Planned doctor’s appointments, tests and treatments could be cancelled from 28 October if an indefinite doctors’ strike goes ahead. In Madrid on 14 September, the Patient Organisations Platform, known as POP, urged medical unions, the Health Ministry and regional governments to step up talks before then. The group says the action would hit booked care, waiting lists and continuity of treatment.

POP accepts that doctors and specialists have legitimate demands. But its president, Carina Escobar, said every strike day affects people who may have waited months for a consultation, diagnostic test, treatment or operation.

The platform says the greatest harm could fall on people with chronic illnesses, multiple conditions, disabilities, care needs or ongoing treatment. Some travel kilometres to medical centres while already in fragile health, it said, and may arrive without having been told that their appointment or test has been cancelled.

Escobar warned that a missed appointment is more than wasted time or an unnecessary journey. It can worsen someone’s health, deepen uncertainty and damage patients’ trust in the health system.

Talks still possible

The planned strike centres on reform of the Estatuto Marco, the framework statute governing the sector. POP says the bill is still being considered by Spain’s Congress of Deputies, where political groups can put forward proposals and amendments.

It called on the strike committee, the Health Ministry, regional governments and other parties to make one final effort to close the gap and stop the dispute falling on patients again.

If care is suspended, POP wants a recovery plan with deadlines, named responsibilities and monitoring. It says people facing the greatest clinical and social vulnerability should be treated first.

The platform also wants the public told why the strike has been called, how far talks have progressed, what remains unresolved and what agreements have been reached in different regions. POP director general Pedro Carrascal said people need clear information on the scale of the action, measures to limit its impact and how cancelled care will be restored.

Topics: Strikes · Jobs & labour · Social affairs · Health · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com