Safety Concerns Mount Over Structural Failures at New Tacoronte Health Center
A newly opened healthcare facility in Tacoronte faces mounting criticism over structural defects, including inadequate lighting, persistent leaks, and broken equipment that compromise patient and staff safety.
Healthcare facilities in Tacoronte are facing intense scrutiny after reports of structural problems that threaten both patient safety and staff working conditions. The health center, which only opened last January, is already the subject of formal complaints from the local Users' Association to the city council.
The most urgent concern is the lack of lighting in the parking lot, which opened nine months ago. Recent changes to operating hours mean staff must now walk to the building in total darkness during the early evening. This, combined with damp conditions and poorly designed access ramps, has created a significant risk of falls, particularly for elderly patients.
Suso Acosta, the councilor for Lighting and Sanitation, explained that the delay is due to the original plan’s reliance on solar-powered lighting, which was intended to save costs. He noted that the project required technical approval from the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC) and is currently out for tender.
Beyond the lighting issues, the building is suffering from other maintenance failures. A retractable awning meant to shelter patients waiting for blood tests has been broken since August due to safety concerns, and despite promises that repairs would be completed by late September, the structure remains unusable. Additionally, the political group Sí se Puede has raised alarms about potential health risks caused by leaks from a nearby septic manhole.
The City Council stated that it recently completed a major sanitation project to address long-standing infrastructure issues in the area. Officials have announced an immediate technical inspection to identify the source of the current leaks and resolve the problem. Local community groups are now calling for urgent action to ensure the facility is safe and hygienic for everyone.