A conflict has erupted in Barcelona between medical unions and the health system administration. Two unions—the Federación de Trabajadores de Cataluña-Intersindical and CGT—have filed a lawsuit against the Consorcio Mar Parc de Salut and the Department of Health. The move comes after the tragic death of an 82-year-old man who spent over 40 hours in the emergency department of Hospital del Mar waiting for medical attention.
The unions claim that overcrowding in the emergency department is a chronic problem. According to them, dozens of patients are forced to wait over 24 hours for care every day, and sometimes up to 100 hours. Social media frequently features reports about the critical state of the department, where, according to union data, on some days the number of people waiting exceeds 200.
Chronic Overload
Hospital staff and union representatives point out that this situation has persisted for years. They estimate that each day, 20 to 40 patients spend more than 24 hours in the emergency department. According to healthcare workers, this directly affects the health and safety of patients, especially seniors and other vulnerable groups.
In one recent case, according to the unions, people aged 80 to 95 were in line for hospital admission, with some waiting more than 100 hours. Such delays, representatives from Intersindical note, increase the risk of complications such as delirium and aggressive behavior, which is especially dangerous for elderly patients.
Authorities’ Response
The Catalonia Department of Health, represented by councilor Olga Pané, has denied the unions’ allegations. In an interview, she stated that the agency had not received any official notification about problems at Hospital del Mar. According to her, the union statements are intended to draw attention, and reports about the emergency department’s collapse are not accurate.
Nonetheless, union representatives insist otherwise. They emphasize that the issue has been known for a long time and repeatedly raised both internally and in the public sphere. In their view, the lack of response from management only worsens the situation and puts patients’ lives at risk.
Impact on patients
Healthcare workers note that extended stays in the emergency department have a negative impact on patients’ condition. This is especially true for elderly people, for whom long waits can lead to declining health, the development of mental disorders, and even increased mortality.
Unions stress that such conditions place additional strain on staff, increase the likelihood of errors, and reduce the quality of medical care. According to them, the situation requires immediate intervention and a review of how the emergency department is organized.
Legal outlook
In the complaint filed, the unions accuse the management of Hospital del Mar and the Department of Health of unlawfully abandoning patients without proper medical care. They demand that those responsible be held accountable and measures be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the legal proceedings are just beginning, the situation at Hospital del Mar remains under close scrutiny from the public and the medical community. The unions continue to insist on the need for reforms and improved conditions for both patients and staff.
