Galicia primary care faces rising patient quotas and inspection pressures

Primary care in Galicia is facing significant pressure due to rising patient loads and increased administrative scrutiny. Recent data from the Primary Care Information System shows a 31% annual increase in the number of family doctors assigned more than the recommended 1,500 patients. In 2025, 271 professionals—representing 14.2% of the region's family doctors with assigned populations—exceeded this threshold, up from 207 professionals (10.8%) in 2024.

Simultaneously, the union CIG-Salud has denounced renewed pressure from Medical Inspection on primary care physicians. The union reports that doctors in the A Coruña and Cee health areas are being summoned regarding the number of patients on temporary disability within their assigned patient lists. CIG-Salud criticizes these actions as part of a policy by the Galician government to tighten control over medical leaves, arguing that such inspections prioritize economic metrics over clinical decisions and patient health.