Lola Padrón expresses concern over the “very troubling” situation and highlights that healthcare professionals are “overwhelmed.”
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 31 January (Europa Press) –
The Diputación del Común has announced on Friday that it has chosen to initiate an investigation into the hospital emergencies due to the current circumstances of the Canarian hospitals, particularly the University Hospital of the Canary Islands (HUC) and Dr. Negrín.
According to the patients’ advocacy group, it is specifically the HUC that has the highest number of complaints, noting that the four major hospitals in the archipelago accommodate over 1,000 patients daily.
“The state of healthcare in the islands is very troubling; we cannot permit the ongoing deterioration that jeopardises individuals, particularly those who are most vulnerable,” remarked Lola Padrón, deputy of the Común.
In addition, the first deputy and the person in charge of Health, Antonio Alarcó, noted that the University Hospital of the Canary Islands “is the least sanitary, with 64% of cases being socio-health related.”
He further explained, “There are fewer staff than ever while maintaining the same level of services; there are three doctors on duty per shift, and for instance, Nuestra Señora de Candelaria University Hospital has 10, which is reassuring, but this illustrates a significant disparity.”
The Diputación del Común has received over two hundred complaints of various healthcare types, aimed at clarifying the situation affecting many citizens.
The Deputy of the Común reminded that this reflects a global reality, such as demographic ageing, which increases care requirements, hospital overcrowding, waiting lists for specialised care, delays in surgical interventions, primary care shortages, the need for more personnel as demanded by both unions, a lack of resources in mental health, and an endless list of concerns, all indicating the decline of our healthcare system.
In his view, “It is essential not to overlook that social services policies are pivotal in propelling us towards a fairer, more equitable, and supportive future.”
Extended waiting times
The number of individuals accessing emergency services fluctuates with the time of year, and in recent days, it has surged to the extent that waiting times for attention have been extended by several hours, with some individuals having to wait until the following day to receive care, as stated by the Diputación del Común.
There is also a portion of individuals who leave without being treated, which may lead to repeat visits, along with returning patients who have not experienced improvements.
The Diputación del Común firmly believes that the visible complaints only represent a small fraction of the total issues.
They have also reported a progressive increase in delays in the provision of care, which surpass the other complaints, alongside dissatisfaction with the assistance received. In some cases, there have been instances of inappropriate personal treatment by professionals, whose commitment to their professionalism is unquestioned, as “they are overwhelmed and, in many instances, face insults and acts of violence.”
Thus, the institution asserts, “this circumstance has a dual impact on both citizens and health personnel, underscoring the necessity to investigate and obtain as reliable information as possible to mediate with the administration and establish protocols akin to those employed in other parts of Europe that enhance care quality.”
Discussion with Esther Monzón
Last week, the first deputy of the Diputación del Común, Antonio Alarcó, met with the Minister of Health, Esther Monzón, to address health-related concerns raised by citizens.
This meeting is part of a series of discussions held by the Diputación del Común to strengthen collaboration with the administration and various entities within the health sector, including both official health professionals and patient associations, scientific societies, or unions, aiming to bolster coordination and dialogue among all parties while upholding the human rights of the community.
Alarcó described the meeting as highly constructive, during which several concerns and observations derived from the complaints received by the Diputación del Común were discussed, “an area where substantial work lies ahead to advance the rights of citizens.”
The first deputy reiterated the need to work on multiple fronts “that will also help resolve the serious issues we face” and urged the minister to update the protocols “particularly concerning the contracted centres, and to increase the number of surgical interventions within the Canarian Emergency Plan while enhancing staffing levels “based on technical criteria as it also bears risks for their own health.”
Regarding ambulances, he underscored the necessity to relieve the ambulance service and employ public service vehicles for non-medical emergencies.
