The "unsustainable" situation of nursing in Alicante: low ratios, professional exodus, and lack of specialisations

The Nursing Council of the Valencian Community (Cecova), comprising the three provincial nursing colleges of Castellón, Valencia, and Alicante, warned on Tuesday that the Valencian Community remains one of the regions with the worst nurse-to-population ratio in all of Spain, reflecting an "unsustainable" situation for which structural measures and more positions have been requested.

According to the report by the Ministry of Health 'Current Situation and Estimation of the Need for Nurses in Spain, 2024', the Valencian Community registers an index of only 5.46 nurses per 1,000 inhabitants, the third worst region only ahead of Galicia and Murcia.

The president of Cecova, Juan José Tirado, highlighted in a statement that this situation is "unsustainable if we aspire to an efficient and equitable healthcare system." "From Cecova, we have insisted that the lack of nursing staff not only overburdens professionals but also negatively impacts the quality of care received by citizens," he denounced.

At the national level, the average number of nurses per 1,000 inhabitants is 6.3, "still far" from the European average of 8.5. While Spain needs to incorporate at least 100,000 nurses to reach the EU average, in the Valencian Community the shortage is "even more critical."

"This difference is an urgent call to action," stated Juan José Tirado, who emphasized the "imbalance" existing between different regions. Furthermore, the report also highlights that the rate of nurses dedicated to care work in hospitals of the National Health System in the Valencian Community is 3.18 per 1,000 inhabitants, one of the lowest in Spain.

Juan José Tirado lamented that this figure reflects the "structural neglect" suffered in recent years and stressed that the solution to this crisis "cannot be limited to temporary hiring of staff, but must involve implementing structural and permanent measures."

"We have repeatedly demanded that training places be increased and that talent retention policies be established. Without a long-term strategic plan, the nurse deficit will continue to affect our healthcare system," he warned.

Another "worrying" aspect is the flow of professionals between autonomous communities. In 2023, 83.7% of nursing contracts were signed with professionals who remained in their home community, but regions like Catalonia have managed to attract a positive balance of professionals. In his view, "the Valencian Community, for its part, needs more attractive policies to prevent the brain drain."

"It is essential to align our working conditions with those of other regions so that our nurses can work in dignified conditions," emphasized Juan José Tirado. Cecova also highlighted the importance of enhancing specialisations "not only to improve healthcare but also to recognise and reward the training and effort of our professionals."