The Alicante Medical Association demands that Health limits schedules in health centres

The Alicante Medical Association (COMA) has expressed its 'concern' about the decree being prepared by Health for the reorganisation of Primary Care. These changes, as planned by the ministry, would mean, in COMA's view, an 'intervention' in care schedules, something that 'does not seem the most appropriate', and would subject doctors to 'increasing care pressure, without setting a maximum number of patients per day'.

The COMA acknowledges, through a statement, that we are at a 'critical moment' for doctors in this specialty, 'both in their number and in the conditions under which they are forced to attend to the public'. Furthermore, they believe that focusing on the number of patients seen rather than the quality of care 'affects the motivation of the professional and the satisfaction of doctors and patients, and goes against the management of the consultation by the doctor himself'.

Therefore, they urge the ministry led by Marciano Gómez not to promote 'situations of hardship, care overload, clinical insecurity or any other issue that may harm the patient'; nor should it be done 'with the argument of offering immediate attention'.

'While the College does not intend to address labour issues that are beyond its competence, it is undeniable that there are some aspects that fully impact the field of medical ethics and the integrity of the professional practice of our colleagues,' they acknowledge in the statement.