Spain's primary‑care waiting list reaches record 10‑day average

A new Barómetro Sanitario survey shows that 71 % of Spaniards seeking primary‑care appointments now wait an average of 10.2 days, the longest period recorded since the survey began in 1993. The average wait time has risen sharply after the pandemic, up from 5.8 days in 2019.

Overall public satisfaction with the health system fell to 53.5 % from 72.1 % in 2019, while the average rating of primary‑care services slipped to 6.16 out of 10. Specialist consultations also face long delays: 21.3 % wait six months, 14 % wait three months, and another 14 % wait two months. Colonoscopy appointments top the diagnostic waiting list at 129 days.

Mental‑health consultations were needed by 18.2 % of respondents, a slight decline from the previous year. The survey also noted that 39.5 % of adults have accessed their electronic health records and 63.1 % are aware they can collect prescribed medicines across autonomous communities via the interoperable e‑prescription system.