Canary Islands Appoint Fixed Staff Doctors to Stabilize Healthcare Employment

Background

The Canary Islands' health authorities have officially appointed fixed staff doctors as part of an ongoing effort to stabilize long-term healthcare employment. This follows a series of stages since their initial calls for stabilizing temporary health workers in December 2022. Recent resolutions confirm the appointment of specialists in fields like ophthalmology, with selected candidates now given a 15-day window to officially take their posts at major hospitals and health centers across the islands.

Significance

Why it matters:

Thousands of temporary healthcare workers have been waiting for years to secure stable positions in the Spanish public health system, especially after the Law 20/2021 aimed to regularize long-term interim staff.

This latest development marks a significant step in reducing job insecurity among health professionals and ensuring better continuity and quality in patient care.

Next Steps for Candidates

• Complete documentation
• Formally assume their roles within the designated deadline
• Provisions in place for those facing health issues or other delays

Broader Implications

The appointments are part of a broader plan to:

• Address staffing shortages
• Improve the efficiency of health services in the region

Hospitals will also need to:

• Manage any vacancies that arise from resignations or failures to take up the posts
• Further ensure a robust and stable healthcare workforce