The CCOO trade union denounced on Wednesday the “serious situation” at the Sabinillas and Casares health centres, due to a “shortage of doctors and poor organisation”, and is calling for measures to guarantee decent care for residents.
In a statement, the union highlighted that the doctors with patient lists in Sabinillas are being moved to Casares on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in order to “cover the shortage of professionals at that centre”.
According to CCOO, this means that on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays “only two nurses are left in Casares, with no doctor available to see patients”.
It also criticised the fact that “non-deferrable” appointments are being cancelled on Mondays and Fridays in Sabinillas, adding that this Thursday “there will also be no service, as the doctors have to travel to Casares”.
“This situation is causing a build-up of patients in Sabinillas, where only two doctors are left on those days, leading to delays of up to 20 days for appointments with a GP”, it said.
CCOO has also denounced that the Medical Directorate of the Costa del Sol District, during a visit to Sabinillas last week, allegedly “threatened” the doctors, warning them that «if they did not cooperate, their holidays were at risk».
The union therefore considers that “this kind of pressure is unacceptable and reflects the climate of disorganisation and lack of resources in primary care”.
CCOO is demanding that the health authority take immediate measures to guarantee decent care for residents and fair working conditions for staff. It says overcrowding and staff shortages are causing a collapse in care, harming both workers and patients.
