Spain: Doctors and healthcare workers to intensify strikes and protests in various locations through January

Event

Doctors and healthcare workers are set to intensify strike action in various locations through mid-January. Healthcare professionals started strike action in November in a dispute with government over investment in facilities and privatization policies. On Jan. 15, thousands of healthcare workers protested in Madrid over the government reforms. The strikes will impact various healthcare specializations in different regions.

• Aragon: Primary care crisis facilities will strike Jan. 23-24

• Andalucia: Some primary care doctors will strike from Jan. 20

• Catalonia: Primary care crisis facilities will strike Jan. 25-26

• Extremadura: Healthcare workers associated with the SIMEX union will start an indefinite strike Jan. 26-27. Unions have also announced that from Jan. 30 there will be an indefinite strike every Monday.

• Madrid: An indefinite strike of family doctors and pediatricians will resume Jan. 19

• Valencia: An indefinite strike starting Jan. 17.

Interruptions to healthcare staffing will likely prompt delays and cancellations of appointments and other healthcare services. Striking healthcare workers are likely to protest outside hospitals and other government buildings. Security personnel will likely deploy to monitor and manage the demonstrations. Protests are likely to pass off peacefully. Additional strike action, including in regions not listed above, are possible in the coming weeks.

Advice

Confirm all healthcare appointments. Allow extra time if seeking healthcare provisions. Avoid protest sites to mitigate delays. Heed the directives of local officials.