Video: @metgesdecatalunya, @laaiacalaf / IG
Indefinite strike set for 28 October
The Metges de Catalunya union will begin an indefinite strike on Wednesday 28 October 2026, as doctors demand urgent improvements in working conditions from the Catalan Department of Health. The strike follows more than a year of failed negotiations and 12 previous strike days since October 2025, during which the union says it has seen no meaningful progress.
Demand for shorter hours and 12-hour shifts
Doctors are calling for a reduction in annual working hours, citing disparities with other Spanish regions. In Aragon, healthcare professionals work 1,519 hours per year, compared to 1,688 hours in Catalonia’s subsidised healthcare system. They also demand the end of 24-hour on-call shifts, which they say endanger both patient safety and medical staff well-being. Fran Aranda, a doctor at CAP Collblanc and union member, stated: "A surgeon who has to operate at 3 in the morning, after being on call all night, is inhumane. This has to end."
If there is a desire and will, it can be done. The problem is the will.
The union proposes limiting on-call shifts to 12 hours maximum to ensure continuity of safe care.
Cap on patient visits and systemic overload
Doctors are also calling for a maximum of 25 daily patient visits per primary care physician, including telephone consultations, to prevent overbooking and rushed appointments. Aranda highlighted that double-booking is common, with patients scheduled at the same time despite appointments made weeks apart. He warned that both primary and hospital care are under severe strain, exacerbated by population growth. Catalonia’s population has grown from a projected 6 million to over 8 million, with resources not scaling accordingly. "We are already 8 million, heading towards 10. And everything is scaled the same," he said.
Medical brain drain and lack of negotiation
The union also raised concerns about a "brain drain" of medical talent, with specialists leaving Catalonia after training due to poor working conditions. They accuse the Catalan Department of Health, and particularly the minister, of lacking empathy and refusing meaningful dialogue. Despite repeated actions, the union says it has received no concrete proposals in response to its demands. The indefinite strike will continue until the Department of Health presents proposals that address the collective’s core concerns, including working hours, shift length, and patient load.
What this means for you: Patients in Catalonia may face disruptions to non-urgent healthcare services starting 28 October 2026. The strike targets systemic issues in the public health sector, with doctors demanding safer working conditions to ensure quality patient care. Affected residents should check local health centre notices for service updates and emergency protocols.
Sources: LHDigital (L'Hospitalet).
