Madrid's regional government and the Ribera group have categorically denied the scandal uncovered by EL PAÍS at Torrejón de Ardoz Hospital, following an initial meeting without any assumption of responsibility. The group's president, Emmanuel de Geuser, expressed regret over leaked audios and announced potential legal actions. Health Minister Fátima Matute received assurances that no instructions were given to manipulate patient care.
On Tuesday, Madrid's Health Minister Fátima Matute met with Emmanuel de Geuser, president of the Ribera group, to address the recent situation at Torrejón de Ardoz University Hospital. This meeting, originally scheduled with CEO Pablo Gallart, was postponed after his removal from hospital management, with De Geuser stepping in.
In an official statement, Isabel Díaz Ayuso's regional government emphasized that De Geuser denied any company instructions to hospital staff to alter care practices. "The president of the Ribera group categorically denies any type of instruction given from the company to the professionals at the public Torrejón Hospital," the note states. The French executive, also CEO of Vivalto Santé—the group's parent—regretted leaks from an internal September 25 meeting, where Gallart allegedly urged executives to extend waiting lists and prioritize profitable procedures to boost EBITDA.
De Geuser assured no triage processes were changed, no single-use medical materials were reused, and no care criteria were manipulated. An internal audit by the group supports the hospital's sound management, per the statement. Afterward, De Geuser met with the hospital staff, who affirmed their professional integrity and patient-focused approach, adhering to high quality standards and ethical codes.
The scandal, exposed by EL PAÍS through full audio recordings, has stirred significant uproar in Spain, but both Madrid and Ribera attribute it to decontextualized interpretations and false claims, threatening legal action.