Spain’s prison nurses: under 600 for 62,000 inmates

More than 62,000 people are held in Spanish prisons, with fewer than 600 nurses available to treat them. That leaves each nurse responsible for more than 100 inmates during a shift, according to figures cited by the Nursing Union, SATSE.

On Wednesday, 23 September, SATSE called on Spain’s government and regional authorities to complete the transfer of prison healthcare services without delay. The union says the current system puts medical care at risk and leaves nurses working in worsening, insecure conditions.

A national health law required prison health services to move from the prison authority to the regional administrations 23 years ago. So far, the handover has happened only in Catalonia, the Basque Country and Navarra.

SATSE says the authorities have shown no real will to reach an agreement, with funding for the transfer remaining a central dispute. It warns that shortages of nurses and doctors are growing, making prison work less attractive.

The union says sickness absences, retirements and holidays can be difficult — and sometimes impossible — to cover. Nurses are also forced to carry out duties outside their role while facing heavy clinical demands and serious risks to their physical and mental health.

The Interior Ministry advertised 39 posts in the prison nursing corps at the end of last year. SATSE says that number is nowhere near enough. It wants transferred staff to receive the same pay and working conditions as employees of the relevant regional health service.

Topics: Jobs & labour · Health · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com