It is widely acknowledged that the presence of a rehabilitation doctor is essential for the care of the elderly. This role is critical in assessing, diagnosing, and treating functional limitations and conditions—such as neurological, traumatic, or rheumatic diseases—that impair independence.

Medical professionals agree that the coordination of a multidisciplinary team and the implementation of treatments like physiotherapy or occupational therapy significantly improve the quality of life, autonomy, and biopsychosocial well-being of older individuals.

One Year Without a Rehabilitation Doctor

In light of this, and considering the living conditions of users of the senior centres, the Socialist Group in the Cabildo of Tenerife has reported that centres managed by the Institute of Socio-Healthcare Attention (IASS) have gone over a year without a rehabilitation doctor, adversely affecting both residents and day visitors.

Socialist councillor Marián Franquet has criticised the absence of this essential service, stating that it is negatively impacting centres such as Los Dolores, Febles Campos, and La Santísima Trinidad, hindering the recovery and quality of life of seniors in Tenerife.

Essential Role

“The individuals occupying these places predominantly come from hospitals, having spent weeks or even months bedridden, resulting in a significant loss of mobility,” she explained. “The rehabilitation doctor is responsible for assessing patients to initiate the necessary treatment and prevent ongoing loss of quality of life,” she added.

“The role of the rehabilitation doctor is to evaluate patients and design the required treatment to prevent further loss of capacity, but this service has not been available for over a year,” the councillor clarified.

Ensuring Adequate Care

Franquet emphasised that this deficiency is directly harming the health and well-being of the elderly, as they are not being assessed or reviewed, neither for existing cases nor for new admissions over the past year.

“It is not enough to discuss new positions, which remain completely stalled in Tenerife; there must also be assurance that care provided in existing resources is dignified and of decent quality,” she pointed out, referencing the promises of recruitment that have “not been fulfilled.”

Call for Swift Action

According to Franquet, the current reality is that societal healthcare services for the elderly are rapidly deteriorating under the management of the island government.

In light of this situation, the PSOE is calling on the governing body, composed of Coalition Canaria and the Popular Party, to implement immediate measures to restore this fundamental service and ensure adequate socio-healthcare attention across the island.