Spain looks on as strike halts medtech activity:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
An estimated 1,200 surgical interventions and 100,000 diagnostic tests were postponed as a result of industrial action launched today (July 10 2003) in the Spanish region of Madrid. The action affects 24 hospitals and around 350 health centres operated by the region's health service - Instituto Madrileno de Salud (Imsalud). Dialysis services, cancer surgery and interventions for which pre-operative preparations are already underway should not be affected. The health services of most of Spain's other 16 devolved regions will be looking closely at how Imsalud responds to the demands of the Spanish medical trade union CESM, which include increases in staffing levels, a 35-hour week and a salary review.