Madrid healthcare faces criticism over waiting lists and resources

Healthcare services in the Community of Madrid are facing intense scrutiny from political opposition and local advocacy groups. In Rivas-Vaciamadrid, the organization ‘Rivas con la Sanidad Pública’ attended a municipal plenary session to demand improvements. They highlighted issues such as long waiting lists in primary care and specialist consultations, a lack of medical specialties, and insufficient diagnostic testing. The group also called for full staffing in emergency services and the establishment of a fourth health center.

On a regional level, Marta Carmona, a spokesperson for Más Madrid and a psychiatrist, criticized the administration of Isabel Díaz Ayuso. Carmona alleged that the regional government fosters an environment of fear among healthcare workers regarding potential reprisals for reporting poor conditions. She further accused the administration of prioritizing the interests of private healthcare providers, specifically mentioning Quirón, at the expense of the public system's stability and resources.