Care staff raise alarm: Deficiencies at S'Escorxador Health Center in Palma

Staff sound the alarm: Safety and hygiene issues at S'Escorxador

In the early morning, when the streets around the Estación are still quiet and cafés are placing their first café con leche on the counter, employees of the S'Escorxador health center in Palma report conditions they never imagined: missing emergency exits, damp walls, broken toilet facilities and faulty smoke detectors. Some colleagues even say they have seen rats.

The nursing union Satse has consequently involved the labor inspectorate and is demanding swift remedies. According to the union, multiple notices were sent to the health authority IB‑Salut — so far without response. This frustrates the team on site: "We feel abandoned," staff say.

Why the situation is problematic

Missing escape routes are not just a bureaucratic detail. In a building frequented daily by people with respiratory problems, older patients and often children, this is a real safety risk. The same applies to defective smoke detectors: if no one is alerted in time in an emergency, the consequences can be serious.

There are also hygiene problems: damp spots on ceilings and walls can encourage mold, broken sanitary facilities make daily work more difficult — and are extremely unpleasant for visitors. That staff report rats completes the picture of a facility that urgently needs investment.

Demands and possible consequences

Satse is demanding immediate measures — if necessary, operations should be moved to other, safe premises, they say. Some teams have already begun coordinating patient appointments to avoid bottlenecks. During a site visit last week, the corridors sometimes appeared improvised: trolleys were placed in alcoves, makeshift fixes instead of repairs.

IB‑Salut was reachable by phone for a statement but referred to ongoing inspections and internal procedures that take time. The union, however, insists on speed: "We are not talking about routine maintenance, but about safety," a representative said.

What might happen next

In the short term, simple measures would be possible: temporary marking of escape routes, replacement of smoke detectors, cleaning and pest control. In the long term, however, the building apparently needs comprehensive renovation — or the relocation of certain services until the deficiencies are fixed. For local residents who pass the center's doors in the morning, there remains hope for quick clarity.

Those with appointments in the coming days: it's best to contact the center in advance, regional staff advise. For the personnel, the concern for safety and dignity in the workplace is clearly tangible — and the clock is ticking.