Alt CampAlt EmpordàAlt PenedèsAlt UrgellAlta RibagorçaAnoiaAranBagesBaix CampBaix EbreBaix EmpordàBaix LlobregatBaix PenedèsBarcelonèsBerguedàCerdanyaConca de BarberàGarrafGarriguesGarrotxaGironèsLluçanèsMaresmeMoianèsMontsiàNogueraOsonaPallars JussàPallars SobiràPla d'UrgellPla de l'EstanyPrioratRibera d'EbreRipollèsSegarraSegriàSelvaSolsonèsTarragonèsTerra AltaUrgellVallès OccidentalVallès OrientalAlt CampAlt EmpordàAlt PenedèsAlt UrgellAlta RibagorçaAnoiaAranBagesBaix CampBaix EbreBaix EmpordàBaix LlobregatBaix PenedèsBarcelonèsBerguedàCerdanyaConca de BarberàGarrafGarriguesGarrotxaGironèsLluçanèsMaresmeMoianèsMontsiàNogueraOsonaPallars JussàPallars SobiràPla d'UrgellPla de l'EstanyPrioratRibera d'EbreRipollèsSegarraSegriàSelvaSolsonèsTarragonèsTerra AltaUrgellVallès OccidentalVallès Oriental
CA|ES|EN
Diari de Catalunya logo

Diari de Catalunya

Doctors reduce non-urgent surgeries by 15% due to protest

The 'Ni un minut més' campaign by the Metges de Catalunya union affects scheduled interventions to push for labor improvements.

Generic image of a medical stethoscope on a blurred hospital background.
IA

Generic image of a medical stethoscope on a blurred hospital background.

The Department of Health estimates that 15% of non-urgent surgeries in Catalonia have been affected by the doctors' protest, who have decided not to work overtime to demand labor improvements.

The Department of Health has calculated that 15% of non-urgent surgical interventions across Catalonia have had to be rescheduled due to the doctors' protest, who have decided not to work overtime. According to department sources, these affected surgeries do not include oncological procedures or those considered urgent. This measure is part of the ‘Ni un minut més’ campaign, promoted by the Metges de Catalunya union, which urges medical professionals to refuse voluntary activities planned outside their regular working hours and on-call duties, known as ‘peonades’, aiming to pressure the ministry into negotiating improvements to address the healthcare overload.
The union has reported that 180 services from 37 public and subsidized hospitals, as well as nine primary care centers (CAP), have joined this initiative so far. Metges de Catalunya has repeatedly stated that the protest aims to highlight that the current healthcare system is sustained by the professionals' overexertion.
Campaign organizers point out that, due to the participation of several Anesthesiology departments, the measure could particularly affect operations and tests requiring sedation, which are scheduled outside of regular hours to reduce waiting lists. The Servei Català de Salut (CatSalut) has acknowledged that the protest will have an impact on these procedures.
This protest is not exclusive to Catalonia; services in hospitals in other autonomous communities have also stopped working overtime. The initiative was initially led by anesthesiologists and has since expanded to other specialties such as General Surgery or Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The mobilization is part of the ongoing conflict between medical unions and health administrations, stemming from the reform of the framework statute. Professionals are demanding their own collective agreement and other structural measures to alleviate workload and restore healthcare quality.
Doctors have carried out several strike days nationwide as part of the conflict with the Ministry of Health. In Catalonia, a twelfth strike since autumn has been called, with the next one scheduled for June 17. The Metges de Catalunya union has directly addressed the Department of Health, arguing that it has the necessary competencies to offer solutions to their demands, and has requested the involvement of the President of the Government, Salvador Illa.
The Department of Health issued a statement this week indicating its willingness to engage in dialogue with the medical collective, but within the framework of established working groups and committees. For their part, medical colleges have requested specific negotiation spaces, separate from other healthcare professionals.

Related News