- Osakidetza intends to close the cardiac surgery service in Basurto and concentrate on the hospital in Cruces. On 17 November I wanted to make the move, but as the matter is resolved, a court in Vitoria has paralysed the process as a precautionary measure.
The court admits a number of reasons for taking the precautionary measure for the harm it would cause. In the meantime, if the transfer materialized on 17 November, the service of Basurto would be closed and dismantled, “ceases to be”, and then it is decided that the service must be maintained in Basurto, “it will be impossible to put it back from scratch.” That Osakidetza has not issued “a reasonable and motivated conciliation agreement” for both services, the court also says.
More deaths without service
Among the harm caused by the closure of the service, the judgment also took patients into account and explained that the Spanish Society of Cardiology concludes that in centers without surgical service more patients who are admitted with heart problems die.
Basurto Vivo: prudent
The members of Basurto Bizirik have taken the decision with satisfaction, but also with caution, knowing that the precautionary suspension is pending judicial resolution. However, in the words of the members of the platform, the news is good, as the resolution “allows the transfer of surgery to be definitively stopped”.
Osakidetza to submit claims
The Department of Health of the Basque Government and Osakidetza have also issued a statement on the resolution. They say they are surprised because, on the one hand, justice has resolved “a matter of care management that falls to the Department of Health and Osakidetza”, when it is “exclusive competence of the executive power”, and on the other hand, it cannot be resorted to. “Resolution adopted without hearing of the Department of Health.”
Osakidetza will make representations to the court to “argue the reason for this decision and explain the steps taken to achieve it”. According to Osakidetza, all citizens who need cardiac surgery also with the transfer would be guaranteed care, and there is “scientific evidence” in favor of the concentration of services: “The larger the volume of patients to be treated with highly complex procedures, the better health outcomes and fewer complications and side effects.”