The SATSE Nursing Union reports that the emergency department at Torrevieja University Hospital is “overwhelmed,” resulting in a surge in the number of nurses. Patients are being treated in hallways and waiting rooms.

The union has released a statement that condemns the “serious staff shortage in the emergency department, a problem that has persisted since the beginning of 2024 and remains unresolved.”

They assert that the situation has only deteriorated since that time. “We’re not asking for a fix, but rather a structural increase in the nursing staff to guarantee quality care for patients and decent working conditions for professionals,” the organisation asserts.

Emergency Department personnel at Torrevieja University Hospital continue to be “overwhelmed.” They further state that the current situation involves a “insufficient number of nursing professionals to guarantee adequate care,” as two patients are being treated in the same treatment room (box), while others are being treated in the hallways and others are receiving treatment in the same waiting room.

“The workload is at an unsustainable level, and it is unlikely that the situation will improve in the upcoming weeks,” they lament.

They are now concerned that the pressure on nursing and nursing staff will be further exacerbated by the advent of Easter and summer, without any reinforcement. This could potentially jeopardise the safety of patients and the occupational health of workers.

They discovered that the hospital is experiencing a staffing deficit in emergency shifts, with a shortage of between 14 and 17 nurses Monday through Friday and between 15 and 18 on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, after comparing the staffing standards and recommendations established by the Ministry of Health. Moreover, the TCAE staff shortage is approximately 7 to 10 positions during the week, and 8 to 11 positions on weekends and holidays.

“Despite the seriousness of the situation, we have not received any response from the hospital management,” according to SATSE. In light of the absence of solutions, a second request was submitted on July 11th, 2024, for a psychosocial risk survey to evaluate the health effects of work overload on Emergency Department personnel. However, the request was not resolved.

Although they assert that the department’s management has increased the physician ratio in the emergency department, they have not done the same for the nursing ratio, which is responsible for administering patient treatment and providing front-line care.

The quality of care is being directly impacted by the shortage of nurses, which is the primary concern for healthcare workers. It is “essential” to increase the nursing personnel to ensure that all patients receive adequate care.

The rental prices in the city of Alicante increased by 0.7% in February, reaching €11.9 per square metre. In comparison to the same month last year, this figure has increased by 9.8%.

The rental reference index is once again providing some respite to tenants who are required to renew their leases this March, as rental prices have experienced a significant increase. According to the National Statistics Institute’s reference figure, the utmost rent increase is 2.08%.

This is the lowest value since the implementation of this percentage in December of last year, with the intention of restricting rental renewals and mitigating price increases. The value, which is based on February data, has decreased by 0.11 percentage points and is at a four-month low.

This percentage will be applicable to residential rental contracts that were executed subsequent to the implementation of the Housing Law in May 2023. The remaining items will continue to be updated in accordance with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is approximately 3% this month. Consequently, the INE index suggests an increase that is less than the inflation rate.

In a market with high demand and limited supply, a price increase that is significantly different from the current situation. Therefore, the index’s annual increase in Alicante is nearly 7.8 percentage points. This implies that Alicante residents who renew their leases will be saving a substantial sum when the actual market price is considered.

An 80 m2 flat was priced at an average of 864 euros a year ago, while the current average monthly price is approximately 952 euros, as per Idealista data. A discrepancy of 88 euros per month, or 1,056 euros per year.

This flat was unable to achieve these values under the INE limit, as it was subject to a limitation of 2.08% increase, as opposed to the current 9.8%. This implies that individuals who renew their tenancy would be required to pay an additional 18 euros per month, which equates to 882 euros or approximately 216 euros per year.

The disparity between the present market value increase and the increase proposed by the INE is more than substantial. In 2025, rents that are renewed and subject to the government’s percentage increase could not increase by more than 24 euros per month. This would result in an average savings of up to 840 euros per year for Residents of Alicante.

A group of immigrants who were previously housed in the Alicante town of Guardamar del Segura has been relocated to the Parquemar Premium Beach Hotel, a four-star establishment where hundreds of them were already accommodated last year. Numerous residents have expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision, as they anticipate additional disruptions.

Socialist José Luis Sáez, the mayor of the town, announced the initiative on social media. He stated that the program presently houses 30 families with children attending the municipality’s primary and secondary schools. They originate from a variety of countries, including Egypt, Mali, Jordan, Paraguay, Ukraine, and Mauritania. He asserts that the new location will provide “a stable and dependable environment” in which the residents can adjust to their new circumstances with assistance in a variety of fields, such as legal, psychological, and training.

In spite of this, her post has provoked criticism from certain residents. One resident in the comments enquires, “Why don’t they transfer people from Valencia who have lost everything in the Dana?” Another user recalls the issues that were previously caused by the presence of immigrants at this hotel, which resulted in sexual assaults and battles against the complex’s employees.

Sources indicate the measure is in accordance with the unanimous decision of the proprietors’ association of the Europa House complex, where they were previously situated, to discontinue the hosting of children at their facilities.

Some residents are concerned about the potential for a surge in disturbances involving North African residents with the advent of Easter, due to the new site’s proximity to the town centre. “They shift the problem from one place to another, but don’t provide a permanent solution,” they express disappointment. The proprietors of the previous site are “tired of the daily disturbances,” according to additional sources.

Altercations and protests

The coastal town has experienced months of tension, which has culminated in the transfer. A protest in front of Guardamar City Hall in January was attended by nearly 200 immigrants who were demanding adjustments in their living conditions. The local police and the Guardia Civil managed the demonstration, which resulted in public unrest in the town.

The sheltered residents have expressed concerns regarding the administration of the NGO Cepaim, which is responsible for their care. They have complained of overcrowding and a lack of resources. Additionally, they demand that the promises they were purportedly made be fulfilled, which include Spanish nationality and employment.

The tense climate in Guardamar is not a recent development. Sexual assaults and abuse allegedly committed by immigrants residing in the town were reported in the previous months. Two immigrants of Venezuelan and Mali origin attacked two labourers at the Parquemar resort, where they were residing. Additionally, a pub bouncer and a young male from the vicinity were reported to have been beaten. Nevertheless, the mayor characterised these incidents as “isolated” and refuted the notion that the town’s security was in jeopardy.

Inadequate resources and political criticism

Ángel Delfín, the spokesperson for Vox at the City Council, maintained that his party had previously issued warnings regarding the negative consequences of the mass reception of immigrants. “When we issued warnings regarding potential consequences, they labelled us as racists,” he stated in an interview with El Debate. Delfín also observed that immigrants are dissatisfied due to the fact that they were promised expedited legalisation, which has not occurred.

Marisol Gallud, the municipal spokesperson for the Popular Party, expressed her concern and sadness regarding the town’s inaugural socialist mayor’s lack of control. She also encouraged him to be “transparent” and refrain from portraying himself as a victim.

The Socialist mayor, on the other hand, characterised the residents’ coexistence as “exquisite” and stated that he had requested reinforcements from the Guardia Civil due to concerns regarding potential “racist outbreaks.” He also downplayed the assaults perpetrated by groups of North Africans in his town.

Residents and the opposition are currently anticipating this action, with the expectation that it will not result in additional insecurity in the town of Alicante.