A new scandal is brewing in Galicia involving doctor Andrés Soto-Jove Bernaldo de Quirós. His name became widely known after several female patients accused him of inappropriate behavior and humiliation during appointments. The first complaint was filed with the regional health service in 2021, and soon after, two more women came forward. At the time, Soto-Jove held a leadership position in the Spanish association of primary care physicians and was forced to resign, as well as leave the public healthcare system. However, after some time, he made an unexpected comeback—this time joining the 061 emergency medical service.
Although the criminal case against the doctor was temporarily closed by the Padrón court, the victims’ lawyers have filed an appeal, and a final decision is still pending. The administrative investigation, launched back in 2021, also remains unresolved. An internal review recommended nearly a five-year suspension for serious violations, including aggression and disrespect toward patients. However, the process was put on hold due to the ongoing court proceedings.
Patient complaints
The women who reported abuse gave detailed accounts of their disturbing experiences both in court and during the administrative investigation. According to their statements, the doctor would undress them without warning or permission, made inappropriate remarks, and performed actions unrelated to their complaints. One woman said the doctor examined her without gloves, causing her pain, while another said he touched her breasts and pubic area, although she had come in with complaints of diarrhea. The women noted that it was difficult to file a complaint, fearing their statements might reach the doctor himself, and they did not expect support since there were no witnesses.
According to the patients, warnings were circulating among women at the Padron health center about the need to be cautious around this doctor. They said they were aware of other victims, even though those women had not reported him officially.
Defense position
Soto-Jove’s attorney, Evaristo Nogueira, insists that the court’s decision to close the case is based on the findings of four forensic reports. These reports state that the doctor acted within professional standards, and that the psychological effects cited by the patients are unrelated to his actions. The defense also notes that if the criminal case is definitively closed, the administrative investigation will most likely be dropped automatically.
At the same time, the victims’ lawyers insist otherwise. They argue that the women’s testimonies are consistent, logical, and do not contradict each other, despite the fact that they did not know each other. In their view, the similarities in the details of their accounts point to a clear pattern of behavior by the doctor. Furthermore, the patients’ defense argues that psychological evaluations confirming the harm were ignored by the court in favor of a forensic medical opinion from someone without clinical psychology expertise.
Return to Medicine
It was recently revealed that Soto-Hove is once again working in Galicia’s healthcare system. According to internal sources, he began working with the 061 service in mid-November and is currently consulting patients by phone. Regional authorities refuse to comment on details of the investigation, citing official secrecy, and only confirm that the doctor is not seeing patients in person.
The doctor’s return has sparked a wave of outrage among the public and politicians. The Socialist Party of Galicia (PSdeG-PSOE) has demanded explanations from the regional government regarding his employment. Party representatives said that Soto-Hove’s presence in the healthcare system raises concerns about patient safety and trust.
Public Reaction
The scandal surrounding the doctor has not subsided for several years. After the investigation began, he stopped seeing patients at the Padrón clinic; however, this decision was not related to any official suspension by the regional health ministry. The management of the Santiago medical district confirmed that the doctor no longer works at their facility but declined to disclose the reasons for his departure.
Public opinion is divided: some demand stricter oversight of medical personnel, while others insist on the presumption of innocence until a final court decision is reached. Meanwhile, the outcome of the administrative investigation and the appeal in the criminal case remains uncertain.
Notably, Andrés Soto-Jove Bernaldo de Quirós is a physician with many years of experience who previously held leadership positions in professional medical organizations in Galicia. His career was interrupted after a series of allegations of inappropriate behavior with female patients. He is currently employed again in the healthcare system, but his professional reputation and future depend on the outcome of the legal and administrative proceedings.
