Spanish hospital surgical waiting list controversies

Controversies regarding surgical waiting lists and management practices have emerged in Spanish hospitals. In Salamanca, the hospital manager was dismissed due to issues with surgical waiting lists. While official data indicated a decrease in the structural waiting list, critics alleged a discrepancy, pointing to a ‘real list’ of approximately 7,000 pending surgeries that included non-programmed procedures.

In Madrid, the Ramón y Cajal University Hospital has faced allegations of manipulating waiting lists to meet productivity targets. Reports indicate that between February and March 2025, approximately 57 patients in the orthopedic surgery and traumatology department had their priority status downgraded from ‘preferential’ to ‘normal’. This change effectively extended the maximum waiting time from 90 days to 180 days.

Spain’s Minister of Health, Mónica García, has demanded explanations from the Community of Madrid, stating it is ‘clear there is makeup’ regarding the lists and questioning the reliability of the data. She has requested guarantees regarding the supervision of these records and whether such practices are occurring in other centers.

The Community of Madrid has denied any wrongdoing. Regional Health officials stated that surgical list management is the responsibility of specific medical services and is overseen by a weekly operating room committee, emphasizing that neither the Medical Direction nor the Management directly modifies individual patient records. Regional health counselor Fátima Matute dismissed the accusations as a ‘vile attack,’ suggesting the claims may stem from a healthcare worker with an existing disciplinary record.