Ombudsman Investigates Doctor Shortages in Orihuela Emergency Ambulance Service
Valencia’s regional Health Department has been given one month to explain gaps in SAMU medical cover and its failure to answer union complaints. The Valencian Ombudsman has opened an investigation into complaints about doctor shortages in Orihuela’s emergency ambulance service and the health authorities’ failure to respond to repeated warnings. The Síndic de Greuges of […] The post Ombudsman…
The Valencian Ombudsman has launched an investigation into allegations of doctor shortages and inadequate response from health authorities in Orihuela's emergency ambulance service. The UGT union has submitted a complaint to the Síndic de Greuges, alleging gaps in medical cover and union concerns left unaddressed. The investigation was prompted by complaints from Trinidad Cintas Bravo, a union delegate representing the Orihuela Health Department.
The Ombudsman received formal complaints from the union in July 2024 and August 2025, expressing concerns over staffing shortages compromising emergency care quality and safety. UGT claims that the regional Health Department's response to these grievances has been insufficient, failing to provide explicit answers to their written requests for urgent measures to ensure adequate medical cover.
The Ombudsman has given the Health Department one month to investigate the allegations, explain the lack of response to union correspondence, and outline the measures they have implemented or plan to take to address the shortages and ensure safe and effective emergency care. Failure to comply could be seen as a breach of the department's duty to assist the Ombudsman's investigation.
The UGT welcomed the decision, viewing it as institutional support for their concerns over several years.
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