Inaccessible hospital opens in Huelva (and they can’t afford to equip new Vera medical wing)

The Junta de Andalucía has surpassed itself this time – they’ve just opened a 21 million euro hospital that you can’t reach, because nobody has built the road there yet. Even better, it’s in the town of Lepe, whose inhabitants have a reputation for being the backwards red-neck hicks of Spain. *Here’s a Lepe joke: a man from Lepe left to go to Seville, but he came across a large sign saying HUELVA, so he Continue reading Inaccessible hospital opens in Huelva (and they can’t afford to equip new Vera medical wing)

Our hospitals amongst the worst

None of the hospitals in the province have made it into the top 100 according to a new authoritative national ranking. The Monitor de Reputación Sanitaria, drawn up by KPMG, ranked every hospital in the country. The first criteria was a survey amongst thousands of hospital staff, patients, journalists and pharmacists. The second criteria was an analysis of almost 900 objective questions on quality and patient care. The third criteria was an evaluation of reputation. Continue reading Our hospitals amongst the worst

Our hospitals amongst the worst

None of the hospitals in the province have made it into the top 100 according to a new authoritative national ranking. The Monitor de Reputación Sanitaria, drawn up by KPMG, ranked every hospital in the country. The first criteria was a survey amongst thousands of hospital staff, patients, journalists and pharmacists. The second criteria was an analysis of almost 900 objective questions on quality and patient care. The third criteria was an evaluation of reputation. Continue reading Our hospitals amongst the worst

Huercal Overa hospital sees all its surgeries closed – for good?

It seems that Huercal Overa Hospital is being turned into nothing more than a massive ward, as it hasn’t performed any surgeries for the last three months; and surgeons aren’t expected to return for the rest of this year. The PP have tabled a question in the regional parliament asking if the Andaluz Health Service intends to reopen the surgeries, which have been closed over the summer, in the new year, but no response has Continue reading Huercal Overa hospital sees all its surgeries closed – for good?

New medical heliport ground broken in Albox

Ground has been broken for the new medical heliport in Albox. It will form part of the 061 emergency service network, and will have connections for ambulances to deliver critical patients to a helicopter for transport to the appropriate hospital. The townhall has helped out by speed tracking local permits, donating the ground and exempting local taxes for the construction.

Mojácar fun run to support Wolfram Syndrome patients this Sunday

A 7km fun run has been organised in Mojácar for sufferers of Wolfram Syndrome this Sunday 30th March. Wolfram syndrome, also called DIDMOAD (Diabetes Insipidus, Diabetes Mellitus, Optic Atrophy, and Deafness), is a rare genetic disorder, causing diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy, and deafness as well as various other possible disorders. The Spanish social security cutbacks means the 45 sufferers of this syndrome across Spain no longer get help with the side effects of this syndrome. Continue reading Mojácar fun run to support Wolfram Syndrome patients this Sunday

Andalucian hospitals “look the other way” as A&E departments collapse

The nurses union has joined forces with patient organisations to denounce the “atrocious” state of Andalucian hospitals. They have published a series of damning reports of patient overcrowding, doctors working so long they faint, patients being sent home unattended, and the like. However, the Andalucian Health Service (SAS) continues to deny that anything is wrong, and says that the nurses union SATSE is simply blowing things out of proportion. The directors of two Seville hospitals, Continue reading Andalucian hospitals “look the other way” as A&E departments collapse

Andalucian health service collapses under swine flu epidemic, boss quits

The head of the Andalucian health service has quit as his department recognises that hospitals across Andalucia are unable to deal with the flu epidemic. José Luis Gutiérrez, head of the SAS (Servicio Andaluz de Salud) handed in his notice with immediate effect this morning. He’s been running the show since April 2008. The Health Ministry of Andalucia have said that the resignation has nothing to do with the flu epidemic, but refused to speculate Continue reading Andalucian health service collapses under swine flu epidemic, boss quits

Holidaymakers warned as Spanish private hospitals block EHIC usage

Care managers using backhanders to divert Spain’s tourists from free EU scheme, reports The Telegraph. (Probably not a problem in Almería, tho’ – we only have state run hospitals here, which aren’t accused of this little scam). Holidaymakers heading for Spain are being warned that hospitals and clinics are increasingly paying inducements and sweeteners to trap tourists with big bills for treatment. Tour operators, taxi drivers and even the police are offered backhanders for directing Continue reading Holidaymakers warned as Spanish private hospitals block EHIC usage

Poniente hospital criticised for hiring temporary staff to replace downsized doctors – many of them the same people!

The Hospital del Poniente (in El Ejido) is in hot water after unions revealed that it has had to hire hundreds of temporary workers to replace downsized doctors fired due to the budget crisis. Amongst other “temporary” workers hired in recent weeks are specialists such as anesthesiologists, surgeons, ophthalmologists and trauma experts. Up to 50% of the worker in the building are currently temporary specialists hired short term, and many of them are the same Continue reading Poniente hospital criticised for hiring temporary staff to replace downsized doctors – many of them the same people!