Spanish health workers face transport shifts and rising aggression

A recent mobility survey at Hospital Reina Sofía in Tudela found that 18.8% of its staff changed how they travel to work, with car use still dominant at 62.3% but down from 75% the previous year. The hospital’s 2023 Mobility Plan introduced new urban and inter‑urban bus routes, extended schedules and bike‑parking, yet employees report that bus timetables remain out of sync with shift hours. The April poll of 154 respondents showed 37.5% now car‑pool and 18.8% use the bus more often, while parking demand stays high at roughly 300 of 550 spaces.

Separately, Spain’s health sector is confronting a surge in violence against medical personnel, with more than 18,500 assaults recorded on public‑sector workers. Private‑sector bodies note similar tension, linking it to the rapid growth of private health insurance—now covering 12.8 million Spaniards—and heightened patient expectations. Associations representing public and private health providers say aggression stems from multifactorial causes such as emotional stress, perceived waiting times and unmet expectations, especially in emergency departments. Both sectors are strengthening internal protocols and staff training to manage conflict.