The Consumers' Association of the Balearic Islands (Consubal) has reported that patients in the public healthcare system are receiving new medical appointments with delays of up to five months after consultations were cancelled during recent strike days.

The union representatives of the IB-Salut ambulances have registered a strike call in the four islands to demand labor improvements and the fulfillment of pending agreements. As reported this Monday by the union representatives, the stoppages will take place on June 16, 19, 24, and 26 between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM and between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM, while from June 29 onwards, an indefinite 24-hour strike will begin if no progress is made in negotiations.

The fourth week of doctors' strike in the Balearic Islands, called to demand a specific framework statute for the medical collective and which this Thursday reaches its fourth and final day, has already caused the suspension of 212 operations and 11,239 consultations. According to provisional data provided by IBSalut, only this Thursday 41 surgical interventions and 1,418 consultations and diagnostic tests have been cancelled, in addition to 1,694 Primary Care visits.

A total of 137 professionals have registered for the first edition of the B2 level Catalan course, taught by the Health Service in collaboration with the Institut d'Estudis Baleàrics. The course, which began 15 days ago, initially had sixty places. As a result of the high number of registrations, it was decided to expand to 137. The Health Service plans to launch a second edition in October.

The Government of the Balearic Islands has started sessions with the pediatric exoskeleton, which are taking place at the Early Intervention and Assessment Service (SVAP). So far, it has been carried out with six children aged 4, 5, 8, and 11 years old. Three more, aged 7 and 9 years old, have joined them this week and others who are currently being assessed will be added. Each boy or girl will initially undergo 24 one-hour sessions with a frequency of two per week.

The Association of Consumers and Users of the Balearic Islands (Consubal) has publicly denounced that the Balearic Health Service (IBSalut) takes "ever longer" to offer an appointment with certain specialists.

Primary Care in the Balearic Islands is accumulating delays that, according to a study by the Association for the Defense of Public Health in the Balearic Islands (ADSPIB), significantly affect patients' access to medical appointments. The organization reports that almost half of users have to wait more than seven days to get an appointment with their family doctor.

On the weekend of February 21st and 22nd, the Health Service will be switching its electronic prescription system from the current RELE to SIGMA (Integrated System for Outpatient Medication Management). This transition requires the suspension of the use of the health card for prescribing and obtaining medications during these two days. The change will introduce a series of improvements for patients in terms of interoperability, as well as the quality, safety, and efficiency of the medication prescription process, according to the Government. Medications cannot be collected.

Since medications cannot be collected with the health card during these two days, the Health Service recommends picking them up before or after. However, in emergency cases, medication prescriptions are guaranteed, as doctors will issue paper prescriptions so patients can obtain the necessary medication.

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The second day of the doctors' strike against the Marc Statute has led to the suspension of more than 3,300 appointments and tests and 95 operations in the Balearic Islands, according to data provided by the Balearic Islands Health Service (IBSalut).

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A total of 70 clinical psychologists from the Balearic Health Service have filed a formal complaint against the Ministry of Health for the Hiring professionals without a psychology specialization A mental health clinic has been established in several primary care centers in the Balearic Islands. The group is demanding the annulment of these appointments and insisting that the positions be filled exclusively by specialists. The professionals, represented by lawyer Pablo Alonso de Caso, consider these contracts null and void and contrary to current regulations. According to the complaint filed on January 13, 2026, the Health Service has hired 16 psychologists without clinical specialization in the last year. Specifically, these appointments have occurred in nine primary care centers in Mallorca—including those in Arquitecto Bennàssar, Son Cladera, Portocristo, and Son Servera—, in Menorca—Canal Salat, Virgen del Toro, Dalt Sant Joan, and Es Banyer—, and in four facilities in Misas. Trained Specialists

Clinical psychologists argue that state legislation clearly establishes that only professionals specializing in clinical psychology can provide the services included in the National Health System's portfolio. In this regard, they cite Royal Decree 2490/1998, the General Law on Public Health, and the Law on the Regulation of Health Professions, which reserve these functions for specialists trained through the residency system. The complaint emphasizes that general health psychologists have limited competencies and cannot assume diagnostic, treatment, and intervention tasks specific to clinical psychology within the public sector. According to the group, hiring professionals without this specialization not only violates legal procedures but can also compromise the quality and guarantees of the psychological care patients receive.

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The nursing union Satse has denounced the "serious collapse" of public hospitals in the Balearic Islands due to "the lack of foresight and planning by IB-Salut (the Balearic Islands Health Service) in the face of increased demand for care" caused by the flu season and other respiratory illnesses typical of this time of year. According to a statement released by the nursing union on Thursday, the situation is critical and affects virtually all hospitals in the archipelago. The organization indicated that Son Espases Hospital currently has 79 patients awaiting admission and its Emergency Department is completely overwhelmed, while Son Llàtzer Hospital has 36 people awaiting admission and 78 patients being treated in its saturated Emergency Department. Furthermore, the Short-Stay Unit and the waiting room for patients at Manacor Hospital are full. The union added that at the Inca Regional Hospital, both the emergency room and the ICU are full, and more than 20 patients are waiting for ward discharges to be processed before they can be admitted. Meanwhile, the Mateu Orfila Hospital in Menorca has no beds available, and the emergency room in Ibiza is similarly overwhelmed, with staff shortages. Satse asserted that this collapse is not an unforeseen situation, but rather the result of poor management, due to inadequate planning, a failure to open beds, and a lack of reinforcement of human resources.

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The Balearic Islands Health Service, IB-Salut, has established minimum services for the strike by medical and healthcare staff, which will begin at 00:00 on Tuesday, December 9th and last until 23:59 on Friday, December 12th. The minimum services will be in place to guarantee the continuity of treatments and scheduled activity. This includes essential services such as Medical and Radiation Oncology and Hematology, Oncological Surgery, Emergency Services, Dialysis, Day Hospital, and Hospital Pharmacy. In centers with multiple shifts, the strike will begin with the first shift on the 9th and end when the last shift finishes on Friday, even if this extends beyond 23:59.

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The average waiting time for surgery in the Balearic Islands has exceeded 100 days for the first time, reaching 104.6 days on October 31, an 8.3% increase compared to a year ago. According to data from the Balearic Islands Health Service (IB-Salut), updated at the end of October, there are 15,712 patients awaiting surgery, almost 1,000 more than last year, representing a 24% increase. In the last month alone, the surgical waiting list grew by 2.6%. The number of patients who have been waiting for surgery for more than six months (over 180 days) is 2,634, 47.3% more than a year ago and 21.3% more than in September. Regarding the distribution by hospital, 5,345 patients are at Son Espases Hospital; 3,503 in Son Llàtzer; 1,547 in Manacor; 1,363 in Inca; 1,659 in the Mateu Orfila Hospital in Maó; 2,269 in Can Misses; and 26 in the Formentera Hospital.

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