The union argues that this situation has had consequences for both patient care and public expenditure, considering that many of these referrals could have been avoided with better planning of available resources within the public system.
“"Such is the case that the delay at the beginning of the legislature was 14 months and currently it is 3 months."
From the Sagunto Health Department, they explain that the decision to resort to referrals is due to a deficit of Radiology specialists, a measure that, they claim, has ensured patient diagnosis and significantly reduced waiting times.
However, CCOO questions the use of the magnetic resonance imaging service at Sagunto Hospital. The union points out that, despite having two machines, one of them, acquired in 2023, did not become operational until March 2026, remaining inactive for almost two years. Furthermore, they state that there are currently no patients scheduled for May, which raises doubts about the continuity of the service and the possibility of a new shutdown.
The union also criticizes the limited operating hours of the service, which only runs from Monday to Friday without extended hours, unlike other hospitals. This situation contrasts with the fact that some patients referred to private healthcare are receiving appointments for late at night. The lack of adequate staffing in the Radiodiagnosis department, with a nurse only working in MRI two days a week and a vacant radiology position, exacerbates the situation.
For CCOO, it is essential to fill the pending position and incorporate at least three new specialist technicians to increase diagnostic activity, shorten waiting lists, and reduce referrals to private healthcare. The union concludes that it is unacceptable to maintain public equipment without performance while increasing expenditure on external agreements, and calls for health management focused on strengthening the public system with sufficient professionals and real utilization of existing infrastructure.
