Most of you don’t know it. How would they know? But I’m a big fan of medical series.. I love hospital fiction and I think that since Emergencies until the one I’m seeing now, The ResidentI have swallowed them all, some with more devotion than others. In my fantastic delusions I would be a neurosurgeon, but since I have the pulse I have and it is difficult for me to even thread a needle, I see myself and I read everything I find about hospitals.
I was struck by how unnoticed the Amnesty International report on our healthcare, a report from last month, has gone unnoticed in Castilla-La Mancha. I give you some information: In our region, almost 1% less was invested in healthcare in 2022 than in 2021 and, pay attention, 11.7% less than in 2009. That puts us in the ‘top 4’ of the autonomous communities with the greatest drop in investment.
One of the most affected areas in Primary Care, that first step that takes us to any other doctor we need. The average wait for a consultation with the family doctor is more than eight days in our region -and we should be happy because the average in Spain is almost one day longer-. He only puts the green shoots a very slight increase, of less than 1%, in medical and nursing personnel in Primary Care.
🪽😈 Like every Friday, a new installment of ‘Angels and Their Demons’
👨🏻⚕️ @suerteasi reflects on health waiting lists in Castilla-La Mancha: “Shall we call Dr. House?” pic.twitter.com/z6hePABgD4
— El Español – El Digital CLM (@eldigitalCLM) November 22, 2024
Those are facts, but since I know that lately people like stories more than facts, I’ll give you a few stories. I can tell you about a friend of mine with a significant shoulder injury. He asked for an ultrasound this summer and they gave it to him. Do you know when? By January 2026. Yes, 2026. I can tell you about another friend of mine who has been waiting for a neurologist for more than a year. Do you know when he has an appointment? For never, because it is in that non-existent “we’ll call you” list. I can tell you about my mother, with diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis, and in perennial wait for a rehabilitation of the hands in which neither she nor I trust. I can tell you about a colleague, she has been waiting for more than six months to get a holterafter his little-big heart gave him a couple of scares.
I can tell you about dozens of people, every day, making complaints or even worse crying of helplessness in customer service – eye to detail: service to the user, not to the patient, it will soon be, at this rate, customer service. What do we do, gentlemen managers? Shall we call Dr. House? At the very least, he’s sure to diagnose us with lupus. My name is Angels and these are my demons.
**How does the decrease in healthcare investment in Castilla-La Mancha, as highlighted by the Amnesty International report, compare to national trends in Spain, and what does this suggest about the region’s prioritization of healthcare?**
## The State of Healthcare in Castilla-La Mancha: A Conversation
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re delving into a critical issue affecting our community – the state of healthcare in Castilla-La Mancha. We’re joined by [Guest 1 Name & Credentials] and [Guest 2 Name & Credentials] to discuss the challenges highlighted in a recent Amnesty International report and personal experiences shared by residents.
**Section 1: Investment and Funding**
**(To Guest 1) The Amnesty International report reveals a concerning drop in healthcare investment in our region. You’ve highlighted figures indicating a significant decrease compared to previous years. Could you elaborate on the potential consequences of such underfunding?**
**(To Guest 2) What are your thoughts on these findings? Do you see a correlation between reduced healthcare investment and the quality of care experienced by patients in Castilla-La Mancha?**
**Section 2: Primary Care Access**
**(Open to Both Guests) One of the key concerns raised is the long waiting times for primary care appointments. How does this impact individuals seeking timely medical attention, and what are the rippling effects on the overall healthcare system?
**(To Guest 1) You mentioned a slight increase in medical and nursing personnel in Primary Care. Is this necessarily a positive development, given the context of increased demand and longer waiting times?
**(To Guest 2) Do you believe there are specific strategies that could be implemented to improve access to primary care in our region?**
**Section 3: Personal Stories and Impact**
**(To Guest 1) You’ve shared several personal anecdotes illustrating challenges faced by individuals in accessing specialized care. What message do you hope these stories convey to our viewers?**
**(To Guest 2) How do these individual experiences align with the larger systemic issues we’ve been discussing? What responsibilities do healthcare providers and policymakers share in addressing these concerns?**
**Section 4: Looking Forward: Solutions and Advocacy**
**(Open to Both Guests) What steps can we, as a community, take to advocate for improvements in healthcare in Castilla-La Mancha?
**(To Guest 1) Do you see any promising initiatives or potential solutions on the horizon?
**(To Guest 2) What role do you think media and public discourse play in raising awareness about these essential issues?
**Conclusion:**
Thank you, [Guest 1 Name] and [Guest 2 Name], for sharing your valuable insights and experiences. The conversation we’ve had today underscores the urgency of addressing the challenges facing healthcare in Castilla-La Mancha. As a community, our collective voice matters as we work towards ensuring accessible and quality healthcare for all.
