Nine days of industrial action by cleaning staff at the Arrixaca hospital in Murcia has led to the closure of 13 general operating theatres and the cancellation of 25 operations.
The measure does not affect surgeons in maternity or emergencies who are operating normally.
The access areas to the operating theatres are reportedly “ full of residues such as used siringes, air gas cylinders and empty blood bags.” The hospital bosses ordered an “analysis” of the situatuiion which resulted in “advice to suspend all activity.”
The hospital is currently seeking a court order to forcé the workers to clean up the area and clear the residues.
The conflict began nine days ago when the hospital issued redundancy notices to 53 of the 361 cleaning staff. The notices were withdrawn in exchange for a temporary reduction of “work days” which the workers also rejected.
