Canary Islands doctors and ambulance workers extend protests over staffing cuts

Health workers in the Canary Islands have intensified protests over severe staffing reductions. Hundreds of doctors demonstrated outside the Hospital Universitario de Canarias in Tenerife, condemning what they say are the most precarious staffing levels in the region and demanding that the government address a backlog of millions of cancelled appointments, tests and procedures.

The medical strike committee has announced an indefinite strike set to begin in September, after months of stalled negotiations with regional health authorities. Parallel to the doctors' actions, ambulance personnel represented by the FSC‑CCOO union have highlighted that roughly 85‑90% of emergency transport services are privately operated, while the state retains responsibility for the public service. The union says the government has met only with private contractors, leaving collective bargaining stalled and exposing workers to a 25% loss in purchasing power. The union demands salary adjustments for 2026 and warns that negotiations will remain blocked unless the health ministry engages directly with worker representatives.

Both groups vow to maintain demonstrations and mobilisations across the islands until their demands for adequate staffing, fair wages and genuine dialogue are met.