Madrid Manipulates Surgical Waiting Lists Without Penalty
Health authorities and the Amyts union allege that Madrid has been manipulating surgical waiting lists for years—a practice neither penalized nor sanctioned.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
## Manipulating Waiting Lists in Madrid: Recognized and Unpunished
According to information published on September 15, 2026, by La Vanguardia, the manipulation of surgical waiting lists in Madrid is a practice acknowledged by the Ministry of Health itself and by Ángela Hernández, responsible for the Amyts medical union. Hernández adds a nuance that complicates the matter: it is not only Madrid, she maintains, but other autonomous communities as well. The detail that leaves the issue in limbo is another: this manipulation is neither penalized nor sanctioned.
## What Is Alleged at Ramón y Cajal Hospital
The origin is the complaint filed by surgeons at a Madrid hospital. The accusation circulating suggests that certain service heads, who hold politically appointed positions, allegedly massively lowered the priority of patients awaiting surgery without regard to medical criteria. There is serious disagreement regarding the scope: it is argued that the public health IT systems do not allow a facility manager to modify these lists directly, and that in any case, the order would have originated within a specific hospital's organizational structure, not from the regional administration as a whole. Without a firm resolution, all of this remains in the realm of accusation.
## From 90 to 180 Days of Surgical Wait
The figures cited by those navigating the public system range from 90 to 180 days for an intervention, with six months for a dermatology consultation and appointments for diagnostic tests projected until December 2027. In contrast, another group maintains that in their immediate circle, the wait does not exceed two weeks. The chasm between these experiences cannot be explained by public data, and this is where the discussion stalls: some speak of deliberate manipulation, others of insufficient budget, and still others of a structural deterioration affecting multiple communities. The case also takes an uncomfortable turn: according to what is circulating, the professional who brought forward the complaint has himself been pointed to as potentially responsible for the manipulation, and no judicial resolution exists regarding this.
None of the versions have been confirmed by a court. The practice continues without punishment, without an identified responsible party, and with responsibility divided among the center, the regional ministry (Consejería), and the system. That is where the file stands.
According to information published on September 15, 2026, by La Vanguardia, the manipulation of surgical waiting lists in Madrid is a practice acknowledged by the Ministry of Health itself and by Ángela Hernández, responsible for the Amyts medical union. Hernández adds a nuance that complicates the matter: it is not only Madrid, she maintains, but other autonomous communities as well. The detail that leaves the issue in limbo is another: this manipulation is neither penalized nor sanctioned.
## What Is Alleged at Ramón y Cajal Hospital
The origin is the complaint filed by surgeons at a Madrid hospital. The accusation circulating suggests that certain service heads, who hold politically appointed positions, allegedly massively lowered the priority of patients awaiting surgery without regard to medical criteria. There is serious disagreement regarding the scope: it is argued that the public health IT systems do not allow a facility manager to modify these lists directly, and that in any case, the order would have originated within a specific hospital's organizational structure, not from the regional administration as a whole. Without a firm resolution, all of this remains in the realm of accusation.
## From 90 to 180 Days of Surgical Wait
The figures cited by those navigating the public system range from 90 to 180 days for an intervention, with six months for a dermatology consultation and appointments for diagnostic tests projected until December 2027. In contrast, another group maintains that in their immediate circle, the wait does not exceed two weeks. The chasm between these experiences cannot be explained by public data, and this is where the discussion stalls: some speak of deliberate manipulation, others of insufficient budget, and still others of a structural deterioration affecting multiple communities. The case also takes an uncomfortable turn: according to what is circulating, the professional who brought forward the complaint has himself been pointed to as potentially responsible for the manipulation, and no judicial resolution exists regarding this.
None of the versions have been confirmed by a court. The practice continues without punishment, without an identified responsible party, and with responsibility divided among the center, the regional ministry (Consejería), and the system. That is where the file stands.
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (21 replies).
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