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

Spain in grip of a flu epidemic, warn doctors

Doctors have warned that Spain is in the grip of a flu epidemic. With 90 severe cases per 100,000 population, Spain is the EU country most affected by flu at the moment, and hospitals are being warned that the next couple of weeks could see hospital wards being inundated by flu patients needing attention. Whilst the numbers don’t seem alarming, they are statistically higher than in previous years, which indicates that the next few weeks Continue reading Spain in grip of a flu epidemic, warn doctors

The pandemic – why it ain´t what you thought it was

(Printed in issue 4 of www.thereader.es) The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that we are on the brink of a swine flu pandemic that will sweep the world. However, in conversations with local residents we realised, to our horror, that most people do not know what a pandemic is! Cases across Europe have “soared”, from possibly 80 to almost certainly 106; confirmed deaths in Mexico have, in a perplexing twist to the case that Continue reading The pandemic – why it ain´t what you thought it was

Swine Flu Almeria Andalucia – what to do

Spain has activated its emergency plan for control and detection of epidemics, in accordance with the recommendation from the World Health Organisation (WHO). This involves alerting all public and private hospitals to the symptoms of the disease and sending out samples to all laboratories to permit immediate identification of infected patients. Controls are being put in place at all airports and ports to detect any passengers with fever like symptoms coming from affected zones. Passengers Continue reading Swine Flu Almeria Andalucia – what to do

Caroline from Almeria is “given all clear” after swine flu scare

Caroline, a 20 year old student at Almería Uni, came back from an organised trip to Mexico last week feeling, as she put it, under the weather. On the advice of her tutor, she decided to call a doctor, explaining that she felt flu’y and had just come back from Mexico. The ambulance men that turned up were in full biohazard suits, and spray disinfected the place after quarantining her in Torrecardenas hospital. She has Continue reading Caroline from Almeria is “given all clear” after swine flu scare