Briefing
The Gerencia Regional de Salud of Castilla y León (Sacyl) has for the first time officially classified 22 specialist doctor posts as “hard to fill” on 27 October 2026. Specifically, this means 12 posts in anaesthesiology and 10 in ear, nose and throat medicine. The hospitals concerned are Ávila, El Bierzo, Miranda de Ebro, Aranda de Duero, Segovia, Palencia and Soria. The classification is the first practical implementation of the rules on so-called puestos de difícil cobertura, unanimously approved by the Cortes de Castilla y León on 17 December 2025.
The legal framework gives designated posts access to targeted recruitment and retention measures. According to Sacyl, these include financial allowances, more flexible mobility rules, preferential contract terms and measures to improve work organisation. The aim is to address structural staffing difficulties in areas with low population density or large catchment areas.
Sacyl says the two specialties were selected because anaesthesiology and ear, nose and throat medicine have faced recurring shortages at several hospitals in the region for years. Hospitals such as El Bierzo and Miranda de Ebro serve large rural areas; in Ávila, Soria and Segovia, demographic trends make it harder to recruit specialists.
Unions and medical representatives have welcomed the use of the new measures, but warn that allowances alone are not enough. They are also calling for binding staffing ratios, training and rotation plans, telemedical support, and assistance with housing and mobility. Hospitals stress that quick, transparent recruitment processes and clear contract terms are essential if the classification is to lead to posts being filled in the short term.
The health administration says it will negotiate the detailed implementation rules with unions in the coming weeks and review other specialties. For patients in the affected provinces, the key test will be whether the measures ensure continuity of operations and specialist clinics and reduce waiting times.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).