Table of Contents
- 1 Wing closed by bedbugs
- 2 Complex for the entire Community
- 3 Does not meet the needs
- 4 The deputy responds
- 5 **How will the planned renovations and expansion of Doctor Esquerdo address the current concerns regarding staff shortages and accessibility to mental healthcare services for the community?**
He mental health hospital center Doctor Esquerdo from Alicante currently have 38 empty beds, does not admit any patients for months and has three psychiatrists, three psychologists and two social workers on leave. It is the complaint from workers at this hospital which depends on the Provincial Council although there is an agreement, not yet executed, for the transfer of use to the Generalitat Valenciana.
The provincial institution, which has been managing this complex improperly for 41 yearsaffirms that these losses are being covered and that the patient ratio is the right one.
However, unions maintain that in recent months there has been a decrease in the number of patients and that there are “certain vacant positions”, a situation that was presented to the responsible deputy, José Antonio Bermejo, in the meeting held this week by the general negotiating table.
Wing closed by bedbugs
As an example, workers assure that in the women’s unit, with 12 places, there are only five users right now; and that there is a wing closed by bedbugs, so patients from this area have had to be transferred. «They have seen the census and there are 38 vacant bedsplus 70 or 80 people waiting to be called. The operation is a disaster,” they corroborate from the environment. A situation that they disapprove of at a time of demand for mental health care in the population.
The president of the Generalitat Carlos Mazón; the Minister of Health, Marciano Gómez; the president of the Provincial Council, Toni Pérez; and the head of the Autonomous Office of Mental Health, Bartolomé Pérez Gálvez, visited the center in July and announced the creation of the largest mental health complex in the Community in the Doctor Esquerdo buildings with an investment of over 20 million.
Complex for the entire Community
As explained in this event, the project contemplates an acute child and adolescent admission unit; another for a half psychiatric stay; and a hospital for care of chronic and long-stay patients. Likewise, the unity of personality disorders that already exists.
During that visit it was said that the transfer will be finalized in a collaboration agreement between both parties to be signed before the end of the year. From the Provincial Council they indicate that their technicians and those of the Ministry of Health are finalizing the agreement so that it is signed as soon as possible.
In this sense, Pérez Gálvez said yesterday that “the framework agreement is practically closed and from there the transfers” of the buildings will be made. In addition, he specified that it will be charged to the 2025 budgets, now subject to the reconstruction of Valencia by DANA. He stated that if there are casualties, “they will be looking to cover them” and it will not be dismantled at all.
“The framework agreement is practically closed and from there the transfers of the buildings will be made”
José Luis Tafalla, president of the Personnel Board in the Provincial Council, pointed to “a serious organizational problem” in Doctor Esquerdo. «An imminent transfer was expected, which was publicized but so far this has not been the case. The decisions made by the Provincial Council are pay little attention to it because it is something whose management is going to be abandoned But in the constant patching that is being done, many things are deteriorating. “That is creating a breeding ground that workers are warning about.”
Does not meet the needs
Tafalla, general secretary of UGT Public Services, adds that “we do not have the demand we had before, they are not coming in (patients) or opening up to needs at a time when society is suffering from an increase in mental health problems, having a center prepared to serve them. There is less attention to assisted people than 3 or 4 years ago».
“It is not opening up to the mental health needs that society demands”
Both UGT and CC OO requested to meet with the deputy in light of these and other furniture deficiencies “in an aging building”; and this week they agreed with him create work groups to improve Doctor Esquerdo. The union section of Commissions has also detected deficiencies, with “a decrease in the number of sick people and certain unfilled vacant positions” that they are evaluating.
The deputy responds
For his part, the deputy points out that “it is not true that income is not being made. “Last week there were revenues and next week new ones are planned.”
Regarding the casualties, it indicates that “they are being covered through the usual channel that is launched the same day it is notified. In fact, last Friday a social worker and a psychologist. And on December 4, another social worker will take office to cover a colleague who has left for another administration. A psychiatrist will be joining us shortly.since the stock market had to be created because there were no people. The 14th was the exam. A Psychiatry retirement needs to be covered, but only one person showed up for the stock market due to the general lack of psychiatrists in the Community.
«The center has 91 patients admitted, which is 100% of its capacity according to the ratio of professionals»
He states that “right now there is only one psychologist on leave and the process to cover her is already underway.” Regarding the beds, Bermejo assures that “the center has 91 patients currently admitted, which is practically 100% of its capacity taking into account the ratio of professionals per patient for correct care and treatment.
Regarding bedbugs, “the problem was detected last week and a wing with 4 rooms was fumigated and the mattresses were changed.”
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**How will the planned renovations and expansion of Doctor Esquerdo address the current concerns regarding staff shortages and accessibility to mental healthcare services for the community?**
## Interview: The Doctor Esquerdo Mental Health Hospital – A State of Uncertainty
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today we’re discussing the situation at the Doctor Esquerdo mental health hospital center in Alicante, Spain. Recent reports suggest a challenging environment with empty beds, staff shortages, and a pending transfer of ownership. We have with us two guests: José Luis Tafalla, President of the Provincial Personnel Board and UGT Public Services General Secretary, and José Antonio Bermejo, Deputy responsible for the Doctor Esquerdo center.
**Section 1: Staffing and Patient Census**
**Interviewer:** Mr. Tafalla, reports indicate significant staff shortages at Doctor Esquerdo, with several professionals on leave and vacant positions remaining unfilled. How has this affected the quality of care provided to patients?
**Mr. Tafalla:**
**Interviewer:** Mr. Bermejo, you stated that vacant positions are being filled and that the hospital is operating at near full capacity. Can you elaborate on the current staffing situation and the efforts being made to address these concerns?
**Mr. Bermejo:**
**Interviewer:** The article mentions a significant number of empty beds at Doctor Esquerdo. While the impending transfer to the Generalitat Valenciana might explain this, some argue it indicates a lack of accessibility to much-needed mental health care. What are your thoughts on this, Mr. Tafalla?
**Mr. Tafalla:**
**Mr. Bermejo:**
**Section 2: The Pending Transfer and Future Plans**
**Interviewer:** The transfer of Doctor Esquerdo to the Generalitat Valenciana has been announced, promising significant renovations and expansion. However, this transfer seems to be delayed. Mr. Bermejo, can you update us on the status of this transfer agreement and when we can expect it to be finalized?
**Mr. Bermejo:**
**Interviewer:** Mr. Tafalla, how do these delays impact staff morale and the overall functioning of the hospital?
**Mr. Tafalla:**
**Interviewer:** The Generalitat Valenciana has ambitious plans for the Doctor Esquerdo complex. Mr. Bermejo, can you share more about these plans and how they will address the growing needs of the population in terms of mental health care?
**Mr. Bermejo:**
**Section 3: Looking Ahead**
**Interviewer:** Both of you have raised valuable points about the challenges and opportunities facing Doctor Esquerdo. Looking ahead, what are your key priorities for ensuring high-quality, accessible mental health care for the community?
**Mr. Tafalla:**
**Mr. Bermejo:**
**Interviewer:** The Doctor Esquerdo situation highlights the complexities of managing healthcare institutions and the importance of collaborative efforts. What message do you have for the stakeholders involved – the Provincial Council, Generalitat Valenciana, unions, and most importantly, the patients and their families?
**Mr. Tafalla:**
**Mr. Bermejo:**
**Conclusion:**
Thank you both for sharing your insights. The concerns raised today about the Doctor Esquerdo mental health hospital center are serious and require close attention. It is crucial for all stakeholders to work together to ensure the well-being of patients, the stability of the workforce, and the long-term viability of this important healthcare facility.
