2 Oct, 2020 @ 15:00
1 min read

Doctors in Spain denounce government plans to enlist ‘rookie’ health professionals to help in COVID-19 fight

Spain’s Malaga records the lowest number of daily Covid infections in seven months and zero deaths
Spain’s Malaga records the lowest number of daily Covid infections in seven months and zero deaths

THE decision to hire ‘rookie’ doctors and non-EU trainees by Royal Decree has been met with furious opposition by health workers in Spain.

The plans, announced on Tuesday, gave special provisions for hospitals to hire newly qualified doctors, who have yet to receive their MIR qualifications, to ease the workload currently placed on ever growing ICU numbers.

The new decree will also allow the hiring of non-EU students studying in Spain that have recently completed their courses.

Following the announcement, medical societies and unions have denounced the news as ‘potentially dangerous to public health’.

The relaxing of employment criteria has allowed approximately 10,000 new personnel to become available.

Doctor unions argue that the scheme should not have been needed as the hospitals have been crying out for more professionals for a number of years, and that the decree amendment is a ‘hasty solution to an age-old problem.’

“Not just any doctor can do the work of a specialised physician,” said a spokesman for the Forum of Primary Care Workers.

The union claims the decree capitalises on the situation faced by doctors for many years to simply grab a headline in the media, and that they were not considered when drafting the document.

“The opinion of professionals has not been taken into account and they have not been informed before approving this rule,” said the General Council of Medical Associations (CGCOM).

“Salvador Illa and his team pushed through the draft without the appropriate negotiating and without bringing it to the National Health System board.”

The decree came into force yesterday as the country became the country with the highest infection rate globally.

James Warren

"James spent three years spent working as a junior writer at various English language newspapers in Spain before finding a home at the Olive Press. He previously worked for many years as a bid writer for an international motorsports company. Based in Cordoba since 2014, James covers the southern Subbetica region, northern and inland Malaga and the Axarquia area. Get in touch at newsdesk@theolivepress.es with news or trustworthy tips that you would like him to cover in these areas"

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Gibraltar
Previous Story

COVID-19 hits highest numbers in Gibraltar as four schools report cases

Quesada Arches
Next Story

Manhunt for British expat who ‘fatally stabbed fellow Brit in neck’ during fight at house party on Spain’s Costa Blanca last night

Latest from Lead

Go toTop

More From The Olive Press