Court Upholds Doctor’s Suspension for Refusing to Treat Torrevieja Hospital Patients

The High Court of Justice in the Valencian Community has upheld a 15-day unpaid suspension for a dermatologist at Torrevieja Hospital. The doctor repeatedly refused to treat patients, leading to complaints from the hospital's Patient Information and Assistance Service. The complaints alleged that the doctor unjustifiably rejected requests for specialist consultations from primary care doctors and other hospital departments, and treated patients inappropriately or with degrading behavior.

The lower court ruling in June 2023 cited 47 complaints between January and March 2023, as well as 202 verbal and written complaints over the course of a year. The doctor argued that the allegations were not proven and that the disciplinary proceedings violated his right to judicial protection. However, the High Court found that the lower court had adequately supported its decision and rejected the doctor's claim that hospital scheduling and patient prioritization guidelines justified his actions.

The court ruled that the doctor's repeated rejection of specialist-care requests had compromised patients' right to appropriate treatment of high quality and professional diligence. The decision could still be appealed to Spain's Supreme Court for the purpose of legal uniformity.