Alberto Reyero Highlights Discriminatory Nature of Elderly Care Protocols During Pandemic
Former Social Policies counselor of the Community of Madrid, Alberto Reyero, made significant statements on Tuesday regarding the protocols that were implemented during the first wave of the pandemic. He claimed that these protocols unfairly prevented elderly residents from being transferred to hospitals, indicating that the restrictions were discriminatory based on the capacity levels of residences and the dependency of the individuals.
Reyero's remarks came after he appeared as a witness in a legal case opened in the Investigative Court Number 6 of Leganés, which is examining the management of Isabel Díaz Ayuso's government in regarding nursing homes during the pandemic.
In his statements to the press, Reyero emphasized that it is ultimately the responsibility of the judiciary to determine whether a crime occurred due to the instructions prohibiting patient transfers to hospitals within the region. However, he underscored the evident discriminatory aspect embedded within the decision-making processes that were put in place.
As Reyero arrived at the courthouse, he was met with applause from family members of those who lost their lives in nursing homes throughout the pandemic. These family members had gathered to express their support and to hold those responsible accountable for the tragic outcomes.
Other witnesses present included former adviser to the Madrid government Antonio Burgueño, as well as Juan Abarca Cidón, the director of HM Hospitals. They were also part of the ongoing legal proceedings, which involve a second case regarding the management of these residences during the pandemic’s first wave.
Notably, individuals such as Carlos Mur and Francisco Javier Martínez Peromingo have already been indicted in relation to a prior investigation concerning these events. They stand alongside former director of Summa 112, Pablo Busca, and the liaison geriatrician from Severo Ochoa Hospital, as part of the scrutiny regarding their roles in the patient care crisis that unfolded in nursing homes.
This unfolding legal saga sheds light on the challenges and controversies faced in the management of elderly care facilities during one of the most critical times in public health history.
Related Sources: