A new conflict is flaring up in Madrid over the healthcare system: residents of the Puente and Villa de Vallecas districts are alarmed by yet another transfer of medical services to private companies at Infanta Leonor Hospital. This decision directly affects more than 300,000 people who rely on this hospital as their primary healthcare facility. The issue is not only about changing the established order, but also concerns about the future of public healthcare in the capital.
At the beginning of the year, the hospital had already outsourced gastroenterological tests and then the management of the chronic pain unit. Now, it’s the turn of open MRI scans — marking the third such decision in a month. The new initiative means diagnostics will be performed not by hospital staff, but by an external organization selected through a tender process. The contract is set for one year and is valued at just over 36,000 euros.
Reasons and consequences
Authorities justify these steps by citing a shortage of specialists and describe the measure as temporary. According to them, open MRIs are necessary for patients with claustrophobia, children, and people with obesity, and their own facilities for such scans will only be available after construction is finished at another hospital 30 kilometers from Infanta Leonor. However, for many local residents, these explanations are unconvincing.
The civic organizations Puente and Villa de Vallecas have already announced a mass protest in front of the Madrid Assembly building. The main slogan is “No to privatization.” Activists are demanding an immediate halt to the transfer of essential medical services to private companies and are insisting on urgent reinforcement of public resources in districts where the healthcare system is under heavy strain.
Reaction and criticism
Discontent is spreading among residents not only because of the transfer of MRI services, but also due to other changes. It is particularly noted that Infanta Leonor no longer provides reports for basic X-ray examinations, even if they are ordered as urgent. Primary care doctors are unable to obtain expert opinions on complex cases, which is causing concern among patients with chronic and serious illnesses.
Delays in ultrasound examinations are a major source of concern: patients may have to wait six months or longer. In some areas of Madrid, these procedures are still carried out in public hospitals, but in Vallecas they are increasingly referred to private centers. Representatives of civic platforms believe this further weakens the system and increases social tension.
Financial aspect
Infanta Leonor Hospital was built as a public-private partnership, which initially involved private companies managing infrastructure and funding. In 2025, the Madrid administration allocated over 31 million euros for modernization and renovation, but the plan did not include creating an in-house facility for open MRI procedures. This decision sparked a new wave of criticism: residents believe that the funds should have been directed toward developing services currently being outsourced.
Community organizations emphasize that outsourcing crucial areas such as diagnostics and chronic pain treatment negatively affects the quality and accessibility of healthcare. They argue that this not only complicates life for patients but also disrupts continuity of care, forcing individuals to visit different facilities for comprehensive treatment.
Voices of protest
María José García, a representative of one of the platforms, notes that the people of Vallecas feel abandoned. According to her, residents are tired of constant changes and ongoing uncertainty in healthcare services. She stresses that these protests are not just a reaction to yet another contract, but an expression of deep mistrust toward the authorities’ healthcare policies.
A report by local professional associations highlights that the most pressing issue concerns chest X-rays. These procedures are vital for detecting oncological, infectious, and chronic diseases, but delays in receiving timely reports can have serious consequences for patients.
Context and Trends
In recent years, Madrid and other Spanish regions have seen a rise in outsourcing certain medical services to private companies. Such decisions are often met with protests and criticism from public organizations and unions. In 2024, similar debates flared up around hospitals in the Carabanchel and Usera districts, where laboratory and diagnostic services were also outsourced. In both cases, residents voiced concerns about declining quality and longer wait times for medical care.
Overall, the trend toward partial privatization within specific areas of healthcare is sparking intense discussion in Spanish society. The question of how to balance efficiency, accessibility, and quality of health services remains unresolved, with each new decision fueling fresh debates and protests.
