Ibiza’s public ambulance service is on the brink of collapse, according to the island’s paramedics’ union. The Works Council of the Union of Healthcare Technicians (USAE) has raised the alarm, stating that the emergency response system is being overwhelmed by club-related incidents, especially during the summer season.
One in Three Callouts Tied to Nightlife
According to a report from elDiario.es, the USAE claims that around one in every three emergency ambulance call-outs is linked to club-related situations, often requiring urgent medical attention inside or near nightlife venues. The strain this places on Ibiza’s limited emergency resources has sparked growing concern among healthcare professionals and residents alike.
Union Calls for Private Ambulance Services
In response, the USAE is calling on Ibiza’s club owners to contract private ambulance services to handle incidents at their venues, instead of relying on publicly funded emergency units. “It’s inconceivable that businesses with an income of millions of euros a year can’t provide this service which is saturating the emergency services at the expense of the local population,” said USAE president José Manuel Maroto.
“We’re All Paying for It”
Maroto criticized the fact that clubs are legally required to hire nurses and health workers, but not ambulances, leaving the burden of transportation and emergency response to the public system. “We all pay for ambulances from these companies that make billions,” he said. “It’s unaffordable.”
Only One Club Using Private Services
Among Ibiza’s renowned nightlife institutions, only DC-10 is reported to use a private ambulance service. The rest, according to the union, continue to rely on the already-stretched public system. The union insists that this model is unsustainable and jeopardizes both public health and the island’s emergency preparedness during peak tourist season.
As Ibiza’s club scene continues to thrive, pressure is mounting on venue owners to take responsibility for the strain they place on essential public services.