The opposition groups PSOE-A, Adelante Andalucía and Por Andalucía intend, on Thursday, 22 October 2026, to ask the plenary of the Parliament of Andalusia to set up an inquiry commission into the management of cancer screening programmes run by the Servicio Andaluz de Salud (SAS). The focus is on the management of early cancer detection programmes, particularly mammography screening. The groups point to organisational shortcomings, gaps in follow-up examinations, data security concerns and a lack of transparency.
The move comes amid a debate, ongoing since 2025, about errors and failings in parts of the programmes. The same groups had already called for a commission in October 2025. The motion was debated in plenary on 13 November 2025 and rejected by the absolute majority of the Partido Popular Andaluz (PP-A). Following further parliamentary questions and internal reports, PSOE-A, Adelante Andalucía and Por Andalucía tabled another joint initiative on 23 September 2026, which is now due to be put to a vote on 22 October.
In statements to date, the PP-A has reaffirmed its opposition. It warns against the political instrumentalisation of a sensitive issue and says that improvements to the SAS’s day-to-day operations should take priority. As the PP-A holds an absolute majority in the Parliament of Andalusia alone, the commission’s establishment depends on its decision.
The opposition groups stress that their aim is to establish the full facts, clearly assign responsibility within the regional health administration and introduce preventive measures to avoid future failings. In their view, these should include verifiable standards for invitation and follow-up processes, better data quality and reliable information-sharing between primary care and diagnostic centres.
If the plenary establishes the inquiry commission, the next steps would be expected to include setting its terms of reference, timetable and evidence-gathering procedures. These could involve reviewing existing administrative records, hearing from SAS officials and external experts, and examining whether any identified shortcomings should lead to staffing or organisational consequences. Whatever the outcome of the vote, the debate increases pressure on the Junta de Andalucíato demonstrate that its cancer screening programmes are functioning effectively and to strengthen trust in procedures and data use.
A decision on whether to establish the inquiry commission is scheduled for the plenary of the Parliament of Andalusia on 22 October 2026.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).