One day a year. This is how the average waiting time for a medical appointment has increased in Spain. Here’s how it grew from 2018 to 2023from four days more than five years ago to nine days less than twelve months ago. And yesseven out of ten people They must wait more than 48 hours to be picked up. The time needed to see a specialist or undergo surgery is increasing.
“I have a chronic problem that lasts all year. How can you get lost and just call… well, that’s it. five, six or seven days”, said Juan Carlos.
There are those who are luckier… but the vast majority are not. There are those who have to wait a long time, “too much”as those in the second group say, so that they can be treated in their health center.
So, ultimately, some have no choice but to resort to private healthcare. “I don’t have another one. “I go there and the next day at the latest, they take care of me.”says Sandra, who suffers from several pathologies and cannot afford to wait that long.
The other option, go to the emergency room even if it’s for a cold, something this causes service saturation: “You know that if you come here, they will take care of you.”
As for the communities, it is Canary Islands where it is most difficult to get an appointment. Around 80% have to wait more than 48 hours. After the islands, Andalusia and Madrid with 78% and 74% respectively.
