The Popular Party’s municipal group in Calpe has criticised the three-party coalition made up of Somos Calpe, the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party), and Compromís for not being open and for giving out “confusing and misleading” information after the announcement of the new ambulance contract, which was only meant to cover events. This contract, which was “deliberately communicated in an ambiguous manner,” ends the Red Cross’s 24-hour ambulance service in the municipality after 17 years.
The People’s Party reminds everyone that they have been warning for more than a year that the current government was planning a contracting model that would place “urgent medical transport in Calpe in a state of absolute precariousness.” The party said in a news release, “Unfortunately, our warnings have come true, and as of midnight yesterday, Calp has lost an important resource that was available 24 hours a day to deal with urgent and emergency situations.”
“The three-party coalition has not only acted without transparency, but has also decided to publicise this change only after it has been made. The new service is only available for events that are already happening, and the 24-hour Red Cross service is fully stopped. “This way of doing things—hiding important information and only talking about it after the fact—is a lie to the public, who deserves honesty, clarity, and responsibility in matters as sensitive as healthcare.”
The Popular Party says that “it is especially important that when Ana Sala, who was a member of the Popular Party at the time, was in charge of this service, the Socialist Party always questioned its continuation and voted against it.” Today, in the tripartite coalition, they don’t ask any questions: this is the price of the deal, and the people of Calpe are paying for it by losing an essential service.
“We’re talking about people”
The Calpe PP says that this is one of the most significant problems with the tripartite government’s management: “We’re not talking about conflicts over how to run the blue zone, sunbeds, or tax hikes. We’re talking about the health of the public. We’re talking about medical transportation in an emergency. We’re talking about real lives here.
The Red Cross 24-hour ambulance has answered more than 800 calls in the last year alone, has hired 10 professionals directly, and has been an important resource for keeping residents safe. The PP says, “A service like this cannot disappear with a notice from Friday to Monday.”
The People’s Party (PP) doesn’t deny the truth: “We know that ambulance services are the responsibility of the regional governments.” But this political party thinks that’s no excuse: “However, for 17 years, local PP governments took care of this service, just like in other municipalities, out of a sense of duty, commitment, and the belief that residents deserve the best care possible.” That won’t happen anymore.
“Managing a city requires planning, thinking ahead, and being serious. Public representatives are the government officials that are closest to the people, and it is our job to make sure they get the essential services they need. So, “if a local government can’t make sure that something as basic as emergency medical transport is available, it is failing in its duty and in meeting the needs of Calp.”
The People’s Party also wants to thank the Red Cross and all the professionals who have worked hard, professionally, and with compassion for the past 17 years to save lives and care for the community. It tells the three-party coalition government to “immediately fix the problem and bring back the 24-hour ambulance service that should never have been stopped.”
Author: Derek Appleton
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