Waiting lists for surgery in Spain break new record with almost 800,000 in queue

GENEVA

Nearly 800,000 people in Spain are on the waiting list for operations, setting a new record high for having to wait for surgical care, the country’s Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

Compared to Dec. 31, 2022, public health has again reached an all-time high of patients on the waiting list for non-urgent surgery in the National Health System, according to data published by the ministry.

Since this January, more than 86,781 people have joined the waiting list, a rise of 12.28%, bringing the total figure now to 793,521.

Last June the figure was 742,518, but since then the waiting list has grown by 51,003, climbing 6.87%.

Meanwhile, the average time for an intervention is now 122 days, nine days longer than the 113 days it took in June 2022.