Hospital service closures and staffing shortages reported in Spain

Healthcare facilities in Spain are facing criticism over service closures and resource shortages. In Cartagena, the PSOE political group has denounced that 28 beds at the Santa Lucía General University Hospital remain closed ten months after a fire in December 2025. The party claims the closure of rooms on the second, third, and fourth floors of block 5 has prevented approximately 1,500 hospitalizations, criticizing both the Health Ministry and local government for failing to meet reopening deadlines.

In Cádiz, the Puerta del Mar University Hospital is facing separate complaints from labor unions. The Satse nursing union reports that the Pulmonology unit has remained closed since the summer due to a lack of sufficient care resources. Meanwhile, the CCOO union has warned of staffing issues across various units, including uncovered medical leaves and the reassignment of workers, which has led to increased workloads and disrupted staff schedules.