Residents of La Jota (Zaragoza) have voiced their frustration over difficulties securing an early appointment at their health center. In a neighborhood Facebook group, one resident complained that it was impossible to get an appointment “all October” through the SaludInforma app.
To show what had happened, the resident shared a screenshot showing no available dates throughout the entire month. The app itself indicates that, to get an appointment with their family doctor before the offered date, patients must “call by phone or go to the health center.”
The post generated numerous comments from other residents who said they had experienced similar situations. “The same thing has just happened to me. There’s nothing available all October,” one user wrote. Another explained that she tried to book an appointment on Saturday, September 26, but found no availability until October 7. “Twelve days to see the family doctor is far too long,” she complained. “Not that long ago, they would give you an appointment the same day or the next day. I don’t know what could be happening, but I’m not going private,” she added.
The delay even prompted ironic comments among users. “We now even think it’s great when they give you an appointment just ten days out,” one of them wrote. Other residents advised filing a “formal written complaint at the health center” or going in person first thing in the morning to try to secure an earlier appointment. They also suggested calling by phone, although several users said it was almost “impossible” to get through to anyone.
“This business of queuing while you’re ill first thing in the morning to get a doctor to see you doesn’t work. It was much better when there was a doctor on duty in the afternoon, because they would see you even if you had to wait,” one of La Jota’s residents said.
However, the situation does not appear to be the same for all patients. Some users said they had found appointments within a few days. “I booked one and they gave me an appointment for next week; I’ve been very lucky,” one resident explained. Another pointed to a possible difference between doctors: “Maybe it depends on the doctor, but mine is always running behind.”
The debate has also raised other questions about how appointments work. Some users noted that patients sometimes book appointments and ultimately fail to attend, suggesting that these absences may also affect availability. In contrast to the widespread criticism, other residents insisted that the situation varies greatly from one health center to another and even between doctors at the same facility.
