Belén Álvarez, undergoing treatment for breast cancer remission, found herself in a distressing situation. On April 5, feeling unwell with chest pain and a high fever, she visited her health centre, which then referred her to the University Hospital of the Canary Islands (HUC). What followed was a gruelling wait of five days and nights in the chaotic emergency hallway, sharing space with other patients facing similar fates, as Belén describes it as “appalling”.
Belén arrived at the HUC emergency room on Friday at 10:00 a.m. and remained there until the following Tuesday. She was informed that the delay was due to a lack of available beds in the Pulmonology ward. Despite the urgent nature of her case, she had to endure seven hours without receiving any pain-relieving medication on the first day. The patient questioned the delay in initial medical evaluation, to which fellow patients responded, “They are attending to cases from four in the afternoon yesterday.”
Belén recounts a system of hierarchy among the ten patients based on factors like having a chair or a recliner, a blanket, or a bottle of water. She describes the absence of privacy and doctor-patient intimacy, making the experience dehumanising.
After two days in this challenging environment, Belén understood why patients often request voluntary discharge, especially considering hygiene issues. She vividly recalls situations like a leaked catheter and unsanitary bathrooms, which only added to the distress.
The turning point for Belén came when a relative lodged a complaint with the Emergency Service. Subsequently, she was moved to an observation area where she finally received adequate treatment, slept in a bed, and experienced a significant improvement in service quality.
Belén emphasises the need for more staff, better remuneration, increased social awareness, and a greater sense of humanity in healthcare services. She fears that such situations might become the norm and stresses the importance of empathy and understanding in medical care.
When inquired about Belén’s account, HUC health professionals acknowledged the challenges faced by patients. They pointed out the severe bed shortage in the hospital, leading to makeshift waiting areas for patients in critical conditions.
The hospital management is said to be investigating the events described by Belén, reflecting on the need for improvements in patient care.
Belén’s ordeal has sparked discussions in the Parliament of the Canary Islands, raising concerns about healthcare quality in the region amid a surge in tourism. Her experiences have shed light on the challenges faced by patients in the archipelago.
