The UGT union has formally denounced the decision to close the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) service at the Vega Baja Hospital in Orihuela during the afternoons. The union argues that this measure leaves local residents without essential healthcare access for a service that experiences high demand.
The union is supporting complaints raised by outsourced healthcare staff, who have chosen to speak out against what they describe as yet another cut to services. Since the MRI department transitioned from private to public management in December 2021, outsourced employees claim that their working conditions have steadily worsened.
Shift changes and loss of duties
Staff members have reported persistent issues regarding shift changes, compulsory transfers to different departments, and the loss of duties originally assigned to them. According to the UGT, the decision to shut down afternoon services is not a result of genuine staff shortages, but rather a deliberate reassignment of these professionals to other roles.
The union has rejected the Regional Ministry’s justification that “staff shortages” are to blame for the afternoon closure. They contend that there are sufficient resources available to maintain the service without the need to reduce opening hours. Furthermore, the union has criticised a proposed solution from the Regional Ministry—which suggested additional shifts beyond the standard workday with extra pay—labelling the plan as impractical and one that was never implemented.
Workplace conditions
The organisation insists it is vital to maintain full service activity to avoid reducing access to a diagnostic test that is critical for hospital care. Additionally, the UGT has highlighted that the collective agreement for transferred staff includes a specialisation bonus, a payment supplement that is mandatory when the workplace of these professionals is altered.
The union further alleges that since the service’s reversion in 2021, staff members have faced a steady erosion of the functions they performed prior to their integration into the public system. They also criticise the fact that these responsibilities are being unnecessarily taken on by other workers who have identical duties.
Demand for services
Magnetic resonance imaging is a key component of the Radiodiagnosis activity within the Orihuela Health Department. According to the most recent activity report for the Vega Baja Hospital, which covers 2024, the facility performed 141,436 radiological tests throughout the year, with 6,778 of those being MRI scans.
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