Nursing Union Warns of Patient Safety Risks at Canary Islands Hospital Due to Midwife Shortage

The Nursing Union (SATSE) has warned that patient safety at the University Hospital Complex of the Canary Islands (HUC) is at risk due to mounting pressure on the obstetrics department. The union reports a chronic shortage of midwives, which it claims is undermining both the quality of care and staff stability. Despite raising these concerns with hospital management late last year, the union says no effective solutions have been put in place.

The ongoing dispute centers on staffing levels that the union describes as insufficient to handle routine absences, such as sick leave or personal time off. According to written reports from staff, this chronic understaffing creates a constant, heavy workload that increases risks in the sensitive area of childbirth. Furthermore, the union notes that the delivery room facilities are outdated and no longer meet modern standards for obstetric care.

The union also highlighted a disparity in how the Canary Health Service (SCS) manages its staff. While other public hospitals offer financial bonuses to cover extra shifts, the HUC relies on a system of accumulating hours, which staff must work off later. This, combined with a lack of available midwives on employment lists, creates a risk that staff will leave for hospitals offering more competitive conditions.

SATSE is now urging management to take urgent action to stabilize the department. Their demands include better hiring terms, financial incentives for extra shifts, and improved shift planning. The union warns that without immediate intervention to ensure the department is properly staffed, the future of the service and the safety of patients remain in jeopardy.