The People's Party (PP) in Catalonia has accused the Generalitat of downgrading the planned health facility for Sant Cugat, Rubí and Castellbisbal, claiming the project has been significantly scaled back from its original promise.

The criticism follows a statement by Health Minister Olga Pané confirming the new facility will be an outpatient-only Integrated Health Care Centre (CAIS), not a hospital with inpatient capacity as previously expected. The centre is not expected to open until around 2032.

Initially announced as a High-Resolution Health Centre, the project has now been reclassified. Pané also cast doubt on whether it will include operating theatres for day surgery, despite earlier commitments to provide both major and minor ambulatory surgical services.

Political Backlash Over Reduced Scope

"We've gone from a reference hospital to an expanded health centre, or not even that. They've been cutting back the project while pushing back deadlines. It's a fraud on residents."

Hugo Manchón, PP spokesperson on the Health Commission of the Catalan Parliament

Manchón has demanded access to the official reports justifying the change in model and its impact on existing hospitals, which will continue to handle inpatient admissions for the area.

Sant Cugat councillor Estrella Salanova echoed these concerns, stating the announced project does not meet the need for a full reference county hospital and fails to address the healthcare demands of the three municipalities.

Call for Transparency and Reassessment

The PP has announced it will formally request all technical and planning documents supporting the new CAIS model. The party argues the shift undermines long-standing commitments to deliver comprehensive care locally and increases pressure on nearby hospitals.

Residents in the area have waited years for improved healthcare infrastructure. The scaled-back facility means services such as emergency admissions, overnight stays and complex surgeries will still require travel to other centres.

Primary sources: Cugat Mèdia. Reported by totsantcugat.cat, TOT Sant Cugat.