A conflict has erupted at Torrejón Hospital between medical staff and management. In May, employees issued a collective statement describing attempts by the administration to influence how medical care is provided. According to them, priority was given to patients from other districts, which allowed the institution to secure additional funding. Doctors believe such practices violate the principles of fairness and equal access to treatment.
The issue of possible manipulation of waiting lists and hospitalization times was first raised during a session of the regional parliament. Deputy Marta Carmona directly asked health officials whether the stays of local patients were being deliberately shortened to make room for more ‘profitable’ patients from other areas. She never received an answer but already knew that many hospital staff shared these concerns.
Internal Protests
Throughout the spring, several protests took place at the hospital. Medical staff published a manifesto signed by dozens of people, claiming that department heads were pressured: they were encouraged to fast-track patients from other districts while moving locals to the end of the line. Physicians emphasized that such actions contradict ethical standards and undermine trust in the healthcare system.
The document noted that such a policy is beneficial only from a financial perspective. The hospital, managed by a private company, receives additional payment for treating patients who do not belong to its service area. For local residents, the institution gets a fixed amount, while for ‘outsiders’—a separate compensation from the regional authorities. This became the cause of internal conflict.
Financial motivation
The scandal escalated after audio recordings from a management meeting were published in September. On them, the CEO of the group managing the hospital urged employees to find ways to increase profits. He openly spoke about the need to identify procedures that are not profitable and focus on those that boost financial results.
Doctors saw these remarks as confirmation of their concerns. In their view, management was effectively encouraging the selection of patients based on profitability rather than medical need. In a manifesto, the medical staff called for an end to this practice and to restore the priority of quality and equality in care.
Statistics and consequences
Official reports show that over the past two years, the number of surgeries and outpatient procedures at the hospital has risen significantly. However, these reports do not indicate how many patients were local and how many came from other regions. It is only known that the number of ‘outsider’ patients seeking care increased nearly one and a half times—from 16,000 to 25,000 in one year.
This allowed the hospital to bill the regional authorities for additional funds. Doctors fear that such a system encourages management to prioritize ‘profitable’ patients, which could result in reduced quality and accessibility of healthcare for residents of Torrejón.
Public reaction
The issue of fair access to healthcare services has sparked widespread public debate. At a parliamentary session, Deputy Carmona emphasized that the hospital’s actions are increasingly driven by financial interests rather than patient needs. She called for a review of management practices and a return to prioritizing medical rather than economic criteria.
The medical community has supported the demands of their colleagues in Torrejón. Doctors insist that any attempt to divide patients based on profitability contradicts professional ethics and undermines the foundations of the healthcare system.
Incidentally, RUSSPAIN.COM reports that the management company of Torrejón Hospital is a private entity operating under a concession model. It serves both local residents and patients from other areas, receiving additional government funds for the latter from the regional administration. After the publication of the controversial audio recordings, the group’s CEO stepped down. Questions about the transparency and fairness of healthcare service distribution in the region remain unresolved.
