A scandal has erupted at one of Seville’s largest hospitals, Virgen del Rocío, over suspicious payments to employees. At the center of attention are two coordinators from the maternal-fetal medicine, genetics, and reproduction department. They are accused of receiving bonuses for night and holiday shifts that they allegedly did not actually work. The situation has prompted a large-scale investigation, as experts believe this practice may be widespread in other healthcare institutions across Andalusia.
The investigation is being conducted by the regional anti-corruption service, as well as internal health authorities and the ombudsman. According to a complaint filed last autumn, the issue involves employees who, after moving to administrative roles, continued to receive bonuses for night and holiday shifts. Meanwhile, their work schedules were limited to weekdays and morning hours, with no obligation to be on duty during weekends or at night.
Internal investigations
If evidence of budget misappropriation is found, the case materials may be referred to the prosecutor’s office. Preliminary estimates suggest the potential losses over the past five years exceed 100,000 euros, not including annual bonuses for professional achievements. To verify this, investigators simply need to compare timesheets, attendance records, and salary payments.
The regional health service has confirmed receipt of the report and promises a thorough investigation. However, it is still unclear whether the unlawfully obtained funds will be returned and what the overall scale of the payments is.
Management Response
Authorities in Andalucía have yet to comment on whether the investigation will extend to other executives among the nearly 300 hospital managers and directors. Meanwhile, the direct supervisor of the two coordinators named in the complaint initially resigned, but later returned to the position. In a message to colleagues, he announced he had resumed his post and was awaiting the appointment of a second manager.
According to staff, the problem arises because many people lose part of their bonuses when moving into management positions, making such appointments less attractive. As a result, some try to keep their previous payments despite taking on new responsibilities.
Appointment System
In hospitals across Andalucía, the process for appointing middle management is formally regulated by a special decree, but in practice, it is often not followed. Competitions for these positions require submission of project proposals and evaluation by a committee, but temporary appointments are widespread. This leads to prolonged periods of uncertainty, with staff performing additional duties without official status or appropriate pay.
According to former and current managers, the appointment process can be delayed by bureaucracy and sometimes by personal connections between leadership and central authorities. In recent years, they say the situation with staff replacements has slightly improved, but the problem has not been fully resolved.
Job specifics
In the Andalusian healthcare system, coordinators officially exist only in certain departments, such as primary care centers and psychiatric units. In hospitals, however, the hierarchy starts with supervisors, followed by block heads, deputies, and directors. At the same time, doctors, even when holding managerial positions, continue to work shifts and do not lose salary, unlike administrative staff.
A former head of the radiophysics department at another Seville hospital said he served as acting chief for several years without an official appointment or salary increase. According to him, career advancement often depends not on merit but on personal connections with management.
The position of department head usually brings doctors a salary increase of about 500 euros per month, but the path to this status can be lengthy and opaque.
If you didn’t know, Virgen del Rocío Hospital in Seville is considered one of the largest and most important medical institutions in Andalusia. Hundreds of specialists work here, and the facility often draws attention due to major reforms and innovations in the region’s healthcare system. The hospital is also known as a hub for introducing new medical technologies and educational programs for doctors and nurses.
