Seven doctors from the pediatric ICU of the La Paz Hospital have resigned due to the return to service as head of the unit, Dr. Pedro de la Oliva, who had to be reinstated, despite being fired three years ago. This doctor has won a trial and has had to be reinstated. The health workers allege "serious psychological disorders", according to union sources, to withdraw.
These professionals have written and signed a letter in which they explain the reasons for their respective sick leave, reports the specialized magazine isanidad.
According to this media, "they are the seven most experienced doctors in the unit, who represent more than half of the staff." The staff of this department is made up of 13 specialists. In this way, "a serious threat to the continuity and quality" of said service has been posed, according to the unions.
The problem started in August 2020, when a group of doctors opened an internal conflict protocol to resolve the problem. A letter was presented to the management of La Paz, signed by 37 professionals, including several heads of service, and in which the attitude of the head of the pediatric ICU service was denounced.
The hospital carried out an investigation for four months and its poor way of working was proven. The report highlighted some points, such as that his physical forms caused intimidation or that due to his management the service was broken. That report also reflected that the head of service did not admit discrepancies from his subordinates and that he even maintained negative attitudes towards the maternity or paternity of professionals. It even went further and it was recorded that "his often hostile attitude made the relationship of that service with other units of the hospital difficult."
As a consequence of all these conclusions, the management dismissed the head of service in December 2020, but a court ruling from February 2023 has caused his return, which occurred in the month of September. De la Oliva took his dismissal to court and won the trial, so he had to be reinstated. He has one year left until retirement.
The affected workers have filed an appeal in the Superior Court of Justice of Madrid.
