Andalusia's government dismisses health counselor over breast cancer screening errors
Andalusia's regional president, Juanma Moreno, has announced the dismissal of Health Counselor Rocío Hernández following errors in the breast cancer screening program affecting about 2,000 women. The move comes amid massive protests in Seville and opposition calls for an investigation. The government has launched an emergency plan to review pending cases.
The crisis in Andalusia's early breast cancer detection program erupted publicly in early October 2025, though the first cases of diagnostic delays were known since January 2024. That month, patients like Lola received delayed appointments at Seville's Virgen del Rocío Hospital, where 90% of the 2,000 affected cases are concentrated, about 1,800. Other incidents occurred in hospitals in Málaga and Jerez.
On October 1, Counselor Rocío Hernández, in office since late July 2024, described the issues as 'three isolated cases,' but the next day the Andalusian Health Service (SAS) admitted communication failures impacting 2,000 women with inconclusive mammogram results. These patients waited up to two years for follow-up tests, worsening conditions in cases like Luisa, Fali, and Cristina, who saw tumor progression due to delays, according to testimonies gathered by the Association of Women with Breast Cancer (Amama).
On October 8, Moreno accepted Hernández's resignation in a 20:30 press conference, justifying it because 'the Department was unable to detect the errors' and 'the affected women had to report the problem themselves. There are no excuses.' He praised her 'dedication and honesty' but announced a full audit of public health, which has a 16 billion euro budget, 55% higher than at the legislature's start.
That morning, spokesperson Carolina España outlined an emergency plan with 12 million euros and 119 professionals, including 35 radiologists, to review cases in 7-8 weeks, working seven days a week. The 2011 protocol, approved under socialist María Jesús Montero's government, will be updated to notify inconclusive results and avoid unnecessary anxiety. Montero called it 'regrettable' to blame her, having left office 13 years ago.
Thousands protested that day in front of Seville's Cathedral, demanding Moreno's resignation for the first time in the legislature. Opposition groups like PSOE, Por Andalucía, Adelante Andalucía, and Vox called for investigation commissions, including prior socialist periods. Unions like UGT and CCOO expressed skepticism about hiring radiologists, given Andalusia's shortage (7.2 per 100,000 inhabitants vs. national average of 9.15), and demanded more public health funding.