Doctors and medical professionals across Spain have announced an indefinite strike beginning on October 28, escalating a months-long dispute over the government's proposed reform of the Estatuto Marco, the legal framework governing healthcare professionals.

The country's medical unions have joined forces behind the action, calling for a separate professional statute for doctors and demanding what they describe as genuine negotiations with the Ministry of Health.

A United Medical Front

The decision marks an important step towards greater unity among Spain's medical unions.

Organisations that had previously organised separate protests have now agreed on a common date for an indefinite nationwide strike.

The unions say the move reflects what they consider a decisive moment for the future of the medical profession and are calling on doctors and other medical professionals to support the action.

Opposition to the New Estatuto Marco

At the centre of the dispute is the government's proposed reform of the Estatuto Marco.

The medical unions argue that the current proposal does not adequately recognise the specific training, responsibilities and working conditions of doctors.

They are calling instead for a dedicated statute that would regulate the medical profession separately and provide its own framework for negotiations and working conditions.

The government has argued for a common framework covering the wider health service while recognising the particular circumstances of doctors within it.

Working Hours and Guard Duties

Working time is one of the most contentious issues.

Medical organisations are demanding improved recognition and compensation for guard duties and are opposed to working arrangements they consider incompatible with doctors' responsibilities and wellbeing.

They have also maintained their demand for a 35-hour working week and better recognition of the time spent on medical duty.

The proposed legislation includes changes to working hours and guard shifts, but the unions consider the measures insufficient.

Professional Classification

The classification of doctors within the public health system is another major point of disagreement.

Medical organisations argue that the professional classification system must properly reflect the years of university training, specialist education, responsibility and qualifications required to practise medicine.

They believe the proposed framework does not go far enough in recognising these differences.

Government Offers Further Dialogue

The announcement comes despite renewed efforts by Health Minister Mónica García to keep negotiations open.

The minister has proposed creating a parliamentary intergroup to examine the possibility of a specific statute for doctors while the broader Estatuto Marco continues through its parliamentary process.

The medical unions have rejected this as insufficient, arguing that they want direct negotiations capable of producing concrete changes rather than a parallel discussion without guarantees.

The Reform Is Already Before Congress

The dispute has now moved into a new political phase.

The government approved the proposed Estatuto Marco reform earlier this month and sent it to Congress, where it will go through the parliamentary process.

The medical unions are therefore increasing pressure precisely as legislators begin examining the text.

Their position is that significant changes should be negotiated before the reform becomes law.

Strike Set for October 28

Unless an agreement is reached before then, the indefinite strike will begin on Wednesday, October 28.

The eventual impact on healthcare will depend on participation levels and the minimum services established by the authorities, as healthcare is considered an essential public service.

Non-urgent appointments, consultations and procedures could be affected if the strike results in significant disruption.

A Conflict That Has Been Building for Months

The announcement follows months of demonstrations and strike action by doctors across Spain.

Previous industrial action had already focused attention on working conditions, excessive workloads, guard duties and the absence of a professional framework specifically designed for doctors.

Medical organisations now argue that those measures have failed to produce sufficient progress.

What Doctors Are Demanding

The core demands remain focused on recognition of the medical profession's particular status.

Among the issues raised by the unions are a dedicated statute for doctors and medical professionals, improved working-hour arrangements, better recognition of guard duties, appropriate professional classification and stronger protection against excessive workloads.

They also want a negotiating framework in which doctors can directly address the conditions specific to their profession.

What Happens Next

The coming weeks will be crucial.

The proposed law is moving through Congress while medical unions prepare for an indefinite strike that could become one of the most significant healthcare disputes in Spain in recent years.

The unions say the strike can still be avoided if the government demonstrates a genuine willingness to negotiate before October 28.

For now, however, the date remains set.

Unless an agreement is reached, doctors across Spain will begin an indefinite strike on October 28 in protest against the Estatuto Marco reform and in support of a dedicated professional statute.