Patient faints as Alicante hospital struggles in heat

HIGH temperatures in some areas of Alicante’s General Hospital have caused patients to faint, and complaints have been made to the SAIP (Service and patient information) department.
Amongst the sufferers was a young, pregnant woman who fainted in the waiting room of the outpatient clinic, crowded with patients, where the thermometer reached the 30 degrees mark, according to a union delegate at the hospital.
Healthcare professionals said temperature control is worse between 8-10am when more patients accumulate and the doors are continually opened and closed and proper climate control is difficult.
Meanwhile on the second floor of the hospital the air conditioning is causing significant leaks and workers reported a burst water pipe in the area of paediatrics and neonatal care, which forced the closure of lifts as housekeeping rushed to clean it up.
Management at the health centre met with local councillors to report on the “lack of investment in these issues in recent years,” with the problems related to maintenance and ageing air conditioning.