Doctors' strike enters second week with protests planned across Spain

Demonstrations are planned in major cities and essential services will run at reduced capacity as thousands of doctors strike

Doctors across Spain have entered a second week of strikes in just two months, protesting against the National Framework Statute (Estatuto Marco), which sets the working conditions for doctors and other health professionals. They are calling for a separate statute specifically for doctors, arguing the current one does not take into account the challenges and duties of their job.

The strikes, which began on Monday March 16 and will continue until Friday March 20, are part of a series of monthly stoppages planned until June. If the dispute remains unresolved, further strikes will go ahead.

What's driving the strike action?

The strikes are being organised by the main doctors' unions in Spain, including regional and national groups, which together form the Strike Committee. They argue that, although the government recently reached an agreement with the Forum of the Medical Profession, a consultative body including medical schools, associations, and one of the unions, the forum does not represent all doctors and cannot negotiate working conditions on their behalf.

Doctors are calling for direct talks with the government to approve a statute that addresses their special training, responsibilities, night shifts, and the possibility of early retirement in certain cases.

National Impact

About 175,000 doctors were called to strike this week. Hospitals are maintaining emergency services, urgent care, oncology, dialysis, and other critical treatments. However, February's strikes saw over 78,000 outpatient appointments cancelled, 3,600 surgeries postponed, and 8,500 diagnostic tests delayed, so some disruption is expected.

In the Region of Murcia, over 900 doctors are on duty to cover essential care, including 339 in primary care. Hospital wards will run at 50% capacity and intensive care units at 80%.

Protests and Demonstrations

Alongside the strike, doctors are holding protests in cities across Spain. In Madrid, a march took place on Monday, from the Congress of Deputies to the Ministry of Health. In Murcia, a demonstration is planned today,Tuesday March 17, starting from the Palacio de San Esteban (the regional government building) to the Government Delegation. Similar protests are happening in other regions.

What to expect in hospitals and medical centres

• Routine appointments and elective procedures may be delayed or rescheduled.
• Emergency services, urgent care, cancer treatment, dialysis, and childbirth will continue.
• Public hospitals and clinics are operating with reduced staff, especially in non-urgent areas.
• Strike schedules: March 16-20, April 27-30, May 18-22, June 15-19.

Strikes are set to continue until June, and while emergency care and critical treatments will keep running, routine appointments and non-urgent procedures may face delays. Keeping track of local updates will help anyone needing hospital or clinic services plan ahead.

Image: CESM