One oncologist for every 119,000 inhabitants. This is the current ratio of El Bierzo Hospital in Leon. Of the four oncologists who should be on staff, there is only one consultant. Another is on sick leave and the other two positions are vacant.
The Ministry of Health of the government of Castilla y León says it is working to fill these positions and has even implemented incentives such as a salary increase of up to 6,000 euros more per year, but there are no specialists.
The consequences therefore continue to be paid by the patients, who feel abandoned. Some neighbours say that they come to a consultation and are told that no one can help them because “There is no oncologist”. So they denounce that they are “completely neglected.”
The Patient Ombudsman has sent a request for intervention to the Public Prosecutor’s Office and requested that an investigation be opened. There are already some registered more than 35 complaints for this reason.
