SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 12 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –

This Friday, doctors in the Canary Islands gathered outside major hospitals across the islands to demand “transparency” in the process of stabilising the Canary Islands Health Service (SCS). They have threatened to call a strike on 22 September.

Concerns Over Delays

UGT has expressed that the situation is “very serious” as, after six years of waiting, the SCS has failed to ensure that lists of merit-based appointments are published prior to examinations, violating the stipulations outlined in the announcement.

“This is not a minor issue; it is a fundamental basis that provides legal certainty, order, and assurance to those who uphold public health. Demanding these preliminary lists is not a whim; it is a crucial requirement for a clean and transparent process,” the organisation stated in a press release.

Impact on Medical Staff

According to them, the doctors in the Canary Islands are the “first affected,” as the absence of preliminary assignment lists means there is “no guarantee or certainty” regarding job stability.

This issue also affects the wider SCS, impacting numerous categories such as nursing, TCAE, and administrative staff.

“If today we tolerate shortcuts and bypass procedures in the announcement, tomorrow there will be more chaos in patient care, bureaucratic duplication, and greater uncertainty for thousands of professionals,” UGT representatives warned.

Demands for Immediate Action

Consequently, they are urging the SCS management to “rectify immediately” and publish the lists before the examination, as “this is an obligation and a guarantee for the workforce and the quality of care that the Canarians receive.”

The Medical Union, which has already lodged an advance notice of strike for 22 September, is demanding the “immediate publication” of the lists and all appointment proposals prior to the examination. They lament that other unions have been “silent” for months and only “raise their voices at the last minute.” “We will not allow this injustice,” they asserted.

SEMCA has warned the SCS that they “will not get away with this.” If the order to “suspend” the call for examination is not issued by Monday until the merit competition is complete, they indicated that stronger measures would be taken.

“We are fed up with the SCS and its accomplices, who should stop laughing in our faces,” they remarked, highlighting that the SCS “has missed all deadlines” and while the unions in the Sectoral Table “were dozing,” they are now facing a “rude awakening.” “Better late than never,” they added.