Authorities in the Community of Madrid have come under the spotlight after a major scandal erupted around Torrejón de Ardoz Hospital. Amid public discussion of audio recordings in which former Ribera Salud executive Pablo Gallart discusses internal queue management decisions, the regional government issued an official statement. It emphasized that waiting times at Torrejón Hospital are not only in line with national averages, but are often even lower.
According to regional authorities, the average wait time to see a specialist at this medical facility is 32 days—almost half the time compared to other hospitals of similar level. For surgical operations, the average wait is 48 days, also on par with national standards. Officials note that queue times have steadily improved over the past year, and the average wait for diagnostic procedures does not exceed three days, significantly less than in most other clinics.
Response to the scandal
The scandal broke after audio recordings surfaced of the former Ribera Salud CEO discussing internal decisions to optimize hospital operations. Specifically, the discussion focused on reducing queues in 2022 and 2023, as well as the need to improve the institution’s financial results. These revelations triggered a wave of criticism from the opposition and the public, with calls for an investigation and a review of the partnership with the private operator.
In response, the Madrid government stated that it has no evidence of any violations by Ribera Salud, but has nonetheless increased oversight of the company’s activities. Additional inspections were carried out at the hospital, and Ribera Salud management was summoned for an emergency meeting. Authorities assured that they are continuing to closely monitor the situation and are prepared to respond swiftly to any detected irregularities.
Oversight and inspections
In recent days, inspectors have been working at Torrejón Hospital, gathering information from medical staff and analyzing the use of surgical materials. According to regional health officials, around 40 audits have been conducted at the facility this year, none of which revealed any major violations. Additionally, it was noted that the hospital’s staff has grown by nearly 3% over the past year and currently numbers more than 1,200 employees.
Authorities emphasize that patient satisfaction remains high: according to the latest surveys, the hospital’s average rating stands at 8.5 out of 10. At the same time, inspections at the facility are ongoing to rule out any potential deviations from quality and safety standards.
Political impact
The situation surrounding the Torrejón hospital has sparked widespread public and political debate. Opposition parties are calling for a parliamentary commission to investigate the circumstances of the cooperation with Ribera Salud and to review existing agreements. Madrid authorities, in turn, describe the events as a political campaign and emphasize that they will not allow pressure on the region’s healthcare system.
Despite growing public interest, the regional government continues to insist on the transparency and effectiveness of the hospital’s operations. Additional inspections are expected to be completed soon, and their results will be made public.
For reference, Ribera Salud is a major private company specializing in the management of healthcare facilities in Spain. It operates under a public-private partnership model and manages several hospitals in various regions of the country. In recent years, Ribera Salud has repeatedly come under scrutiny amid debates about the efficiency and transparency of its work. The company has been operating at Torrejón hospital since 2011, and the center itself is considered one of the most modern in the region.
