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Spanish Doctors Take National Strike Into Day Three as Health Ministry Calls Talks

The stoppage challenges a draft employment framework that unions say overlooks physicians’ specific conditions.

Overview

  • CESM and the Sindicato Médico Andaluz confirmed the Health Ministry has summoned them to negotiate the draft Estatuto Marco on December 11, and unions say the four-day strike will continue through December 12.
  • Turnout figures remain sharply disputed, with Catalonia’s health department reporting 7.2% participation on Wednesday morning versus 55% claimed by Metges de Catalunya, and Asturias authorities citing 12.1% versus union estimates near half of staff.
  • Service effects include postponed care in several regions, such as Asturias where unions report over a 35% drop in consultations and a 20% reduction in scheduled surgeries.
  • Local pressure points persist, with Moaña (Galicia) left without on-site doctors for an afternoon after vacancies and scheduling collided with the strike, before regional officials said evening coverage would resume.
  • Beyond national demands for a separate doctors’ statute, a 35-hour week and an end to 24-hour on-call shifts, regional disputes continue, including CESM‑CLM’s claim that Castilla‑La Mancha is blocking talks on restoring the Carrera Profesional.