Doctors Strike in Spain Causes Thousands of Unattended Patients and Cancelled Surgeries

Spain’s nationwide doctors’ strike entered its third day on Tuesday, disrupting hundreds of thousands of medical appointments and surgeries as physicians demand a separate professional statute and improved working conditions. The industrial action, which began on Monday and is scheduled to continue through Thursday, has led to widespread cancellations in public healthcare across multiple regions, with particularly severe impacts in Madrid, Valencia, and Galicia.

Over 2,600 Patients Left Unattended in Vigo in a Single Day

In the northwestern city of Vigo, the Galician Health Service (Servizo Galego de Saúde, SERGAS) reported that 2,600 patients were left unattended on Monday alone due to the strike, according to La Voz de Galicia. The cancellations affected routine consultations, diagnostic tests, and non-urgent procedures, though emergency services remained operational under minimum staffing agreements. The strike’s impact in Galicia mirrors disruptions across Spain, where medical unions estimate that hundreds of thousands of appointments have been postponed since the action began.

150,000 Consultations and 7,300 Surgeries Cancelled in Madrid

In the capital, the strike’s toll was even more pronounced. Cadena SER reported that 150,000 medical consultations and 7,300 surgeries had been cancelled in Madrid by Tuesday, with hospitals and primary care centers operating at reduced capacity. The figures reflect the scale of the walkout, which unions describe as one of the most significant medical strikes in Spain’s recent history. While emergency departments remain staffed, non-urgent care has been severely limited, forcing patients to reschedule appointments or seek private alternatives.

Unions Demand Separate Statute for Physicians

The strike’s primary demand is the creation of a dedicated professional statute for doctors, separate from the broader healthcare worker framework proposed by the Ministry of Health. Medical unions argue that the current proposal fails to recognize the unique training, responsibilities, and working conditions of physicians. In a statement cited by La Razón, union representatives declared, Mónica García, your statute is our agony, directly addressing Health Minister Mónica García Gómez and criticizing the government’s approach.

The dispute centers on concerns over excessive workloads, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Doctors report being forced into extended shifts, often followed by additional work in the private sector to supplement their incomes. Unions warn that these conditions are unsustainable and threaten the quality of patient care. Despite months of negotiations, talks between the unions and the Ministry of Health have stalled, prompting the current wave of industrial action.

Regional Disparities in Strike Participation

While the strike has seen broad participation, regional variations in its impact have emerged. In the Canary Islands, elDiario.es reported a significant discrepancy between official government figures and union claims regarding strike adherence. The regional government cited a 13.11% participation rate among doctors, while unions asserted that 59% of physicians had joined the walkout. The conflicting data underscores the challenges in assessing the strike’s true scale and effectiveness.

In the Valencian Community, officials projected that 200,000 consultations and procedures would be postponed during the four-day strike, with the Costa Blanca region among the hardest hit. Hospitals in Marbella also reported dramatic scenes, with patients being sent home from operating tables as surgeries were abruptly cancelled, according to The Olive Press.

Minister García Faces Growing Backlash

Health Minister Mónica García Gómez, who initially enjoyed support from some medical professionals, has faced mounting criticism as the strike intensifies. ABC reported that a physician who had previously expressed confidence in García’s leadership had gathered over 100,000 signatures opposing her proposed statute. The doctor, whose identity was not disclosed in the primary sources, described García’s approach as an absolute disappointment, reflecting a broader erosion of trust among medical workers.

The strike’s timing has added pressure on the government, as Spain’s public healthcare system continues to grapple with post-pandemic recovery and staffing shortages. With no immediate resolution in sight, unions have not ruled out extending the industrial action beyond Thursday, raising the prospect of further disruptions to patient care.

Emergency Services Remain Operational

Despite the widespread cancellations, all primary sources confirm that emergency departments across Spain are maintaining full coverage under minimum service agreements. Hospitals have prioritized life-threatening cases, ensuring that critical care remains available. However, the strike’s long-term consequences for non-urgent patients—particularly those awaiting surgeries or specialist consultations—remain a growing concern.

As the strike enters its final two days, both the government and medical unions have signaled a willingness to return to negotiations, though no concrete breakthroughs have been reported. For now, patients are advised to confirm the status of their appointments before traveling to healthcare facilities, as cancellations are expected to continue through Thursday.