The health service of the Principality of Asturias (Servicio de Salud del Principado de Asturias, Sespa) has temporarily suspended dialysis services at Hospital Carmen y Severo Ochoa in Cangas del Narcea on 3 October 2026. The decision follows the discovery of a fault in the system that treats the water used for haemodialysis. According to the responsible authority, this is a precautionary measure to protect patient safety.
For the duration of the interruption, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA) in Oviedo is taking over treatment for affected patients from the catchment area. Patients are also being treated at the dialysis centre of Cruz Roja in Oviedo. To resume services at the Cangas del Narcea site as soon as possible, the administration has provided three portable dialysis machines: HUCA is supplying two, and Hospital Universitario de Cabueñesone. The machines are expected to be brought into service once installation and safety checks are complete.
The health administration stresses that the reorganisation is solely for safety reasons and does not mean the dialysis unit is closing. No date has been given for the full resumption of services at Hospital Carmen y Severo Ochoa. According to Sespa, patients and their families are being kept informed about appointments, transport and possible transfers. Hospital staff in Cangas del Narcea are coordinating arrangements with the centres in Oviedo.
Hospital Carmen y Severo Ochoa serves south-western Asturias. In Spain, the principle applied to technical work on critical infrastructure such as water treatment is to minimise risks to dialysis patients by promptly transferring them to certified units. The current measure follows this practice. The administration initially gave no information about the cause of the fault or the expected duration of the work.
According to the authorities, the aim is to restore regular dialysis at the Cangas del Narcea site as soon as possible. Until then, alternative arrangements are in place through Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and the Cruz Roja dialysis centre in Oviedo. The hospitals and Sespa are monitoring the situation and intend to provide updates on significant developments.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).