This Monday, the Ombudsman Ángel Gabilondo met up with representatives of two associations that promote public quality healthcare. Thus, the Ombudsman was visited by members of the Federation of Associations to Support Public Healthcare (FADSPU) and of the Board To Promote Public Healthcare in Madrid (MEDSAP). Ángel Gabilondo was able to discuss matters with Marciano Sánchez and Esther Nieto (FADSPU), and with Carmen Esbri and Paloma Casáñez from MEDSAP.
In the course of both meetings, the current situation of public healthcare in national territory was discussed, as well as the main problems the public healthcare system is currently suffering. The associations disclosed that Primary Care facilities are in a precarious situation, leading to lower quality service, basically due to a progressively decreasing number of professionals.
This is lengthening health centre waiting lists, amongst other difficulties.
MEDSAP also explained the specific problems faced by the Region of Madrid when managing its public healthcare system. It reported that there are huge local inequalities in the Madrid area in terms of access to care.
Furthermore, the event was used to explain the effects arising from a recent change in the administrative processing of documentation to confirm the eligibility of illegal foreigners to public healthcare, with any associated risks derived from discontinued service.
The head of Healthcare & Social Policy of the Ombudsman’s Office also took part in both meetings.
